Well I jumped in the river
That was OK
Fish blinked—
Even without eyelids
I knew
They were blinking
A blue light
Surrounded me
I was the god
Of carp
In a carp cathedral
Sharing the speed of the moon
If they could talk
They’d tell you
I was fucking something
**
You’re a fool, says my inner critic
Yes I say
Say something smart for once
Says my critic
Who looks faintly like William Powell
I tell him I agree with those
Who say David Hume
Was the complete modern pagan
**
You have to build yourself up
If you’re a poet
Carp, David Hume,
Whatever it takes
**
It makes me sad
When poets
Are so serious
Talking about
Their sex lives
Or fashion
When we should
Keep up the fight
Against superstition
**
My Ph.D. dissertation:
Immanuel Kant never left his home town
His favorite food was Koenigsberger Klops
Dumplings made of minced beef and pork
Cooked in a pale roux
In this way
He was always exhilarated
And bewildered—
The best state
While fighting unjustified beliefs
**
Dear K:
Why can’t we fight superstition
While talking about our sex lives?
What’s wrong with you?
K answers:
You talk without joy
**
Having sex and fighting superstition:
Up down, up down,
Beyond the window
The Devil rushes past like a commuter train
**
Meanwhile in the carp cathedral
No devils no Immanuel Kant
No dumplings
No bells
And if you laugh
You gotta keep your mouth closed
Planet of the Blind 