Thursday, August 04, 2011

Paterson: Book II, Chapter I, p. 58


(Priapus!)

Priapus!
Come and let me
have a look at you.

I'll not stare
at the obvious--
          the enormous,
          swollen,
          tired phallus;
                    the rises of strains
                    in the muscles 
                    of your forearm;
                              the purple bend
                              of awful skin;
                              the long-wished-lost
                                        weight.

I'll not share
your story broadly--
          the fetal curse
          of a jealous 
          goddess;
                    the chasing through fields
                    of Other-claimed 
                    flesh;
                              the thwarting,
                              (hilariously)
                              of an angry, stubborn
                                        ass.

I'll not mock
the life of verdict--
          the building
          in you    
          of the unspeakable thing;
                    the want
                    of love
                    or the thrust of it;
                              the longing
                              for finish,
                              and the prayer for
                                       ends.

          Rather, I'll wait.
          I'll look you over,
          with my own two eyes,
          and see you blink.


          Who would have guessed
          it would take your presence
          to undo you?
          Who would have expected
          the weight of too much of you
          would be the weight you could not bear?

         The envy, friend, is yours.
         Stand up (as if you could not);
         rise,
         and get out
         of my sight.

KMC 8/4/11

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