Henry Graham
Quartet for the End of Term
The dog sniffs at the logical positives arse as it passes -
comfy cunt clouded in black curls.
Spotty callow faces jostle at the edge of the early gravy
refectory reflections of stainless eyes ogle
steaming ski slopes of mash . . . smiling orientals
prod earnestly inscrutable sausages -
it is smelly summer over savannas of soggy beans.
Father, your red face in every window that I pass.
Being in only one place is an inadequate imposition
streets and saloon bars covering miles crowd my mind
I owe them all this moment a raised glass
a searching stride . . . it seems that Walt
walks with me in these unaccustomed lines
the multitudes that I contain will and shall contain me.
Father, honest to god your many mansions will always elude me -
rows of winking chuckling boxes cough and splutter coins,
impassively the clumsy barmaid awaits the showers of silver shekels
no one moves, the universe turns once about the centre of my glass
boys and girls are stars and planets revolving in a senseless void.
Outside a crazy dog is burying its leash
still round its neck. Daddy, so help me
all your life you were a useless bastard
your long dead ghost still haunts in any clouded glass -
but now let all mortal flesh keep silence.
The day is as near perfect as it can possibly be
taking into account that in the end we all lose.
Page(s) 89
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