John Ashbery




Surprising Announcement

Great to see you on Friday! The whole damn dynasty. And we got it. 

You’re telling me. 

Not knowing what it is you have in mind 
didn’t mean anything, 
drove all the others off a cliff into the sun. 
Baked rebellion. And I guess I won’t keep it on the dresser anymore. 

These are quite capacious. 
Does it seem warm to you? 
No man is just an island. 
Day-glitter 
in the valley creases. 

Only Lucy can see over you. 
Pay ’em for a while. 
Use the word “bewitches” in a sentence 
in the scarecrow position. 

What is Jenny wearing to the dance tonight? 
Seek alternate transportation. 
Tag her remains. 
Martyrs for a change 
must be put to sleep, 
midwinter savings, the years’ income. 
Have you noticed how far/long 
the hairs in your nose don’t take a day off from growing? 
Chronology and ominous scribe complacency, 
the pastel town dying 
didn’t mean anything, 
will have an impact on horrified onlookers. 

EAVESDROPPERS SELDOM HEAR GOOD OF THEMSELVES.