John Berryman
Dream Song 122: He publishes his boyfriend’s bottom in staid pages
__________________
He publishes his boyfriend’s bottom now—
In the staid pages of The New York Times
Way back in the Singles want ads section
Ridiculous Henry has no fucking shame—
Once tranquil & chaste, tied up in a hammock
Like Richard Burton sobering up again
___________________
He fell off the wagon down in Mexico—
Defrocked and losing his tenure at lovely
Poughkeepsie State Teacher’s College
Ava Gardner sings her obsequious songs—
And hopeless lullabies trying to calm poor
Henry’s braying at the dingy full moon
_____________________
It’s hopeless though even with the help—
Of the two nude young dancing Mexican boys
Cute Pedro and Pepe with their mariachis
Many have thronged & drifted away—
Deliciously stoned within the seductive
Night of the Iguana & never returned
__________________
He publishes his boyfriend’s bottom now—
In the staid pages of The New York Times
Way back in the Singles want ads section
Ridiculous Henry has no fucking shame—
Once tranquil & chaste, tied up in a hammock
Like Richard Burton sobering up again
___________________
He fell off the wagon down in Mexico—
Defrocked and losing his tenure at lovely
Poughkeepsie State Teacher’s College
Ava Gardner sings her obsequious songs—
And hopeless lullabies trying to calm poor
Henry’s braying at the dingy full moon
_____________________
It’s hopeless though even with the help—
Of the two nude young dancing Mexican boys
Cute Pedro and Pepe with their mariachis
Many have thronged & drifted away—
Deliciously stoned within the seductive
Night of the Iguana & never returned
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