Millions of Strange Shadows on You Tend
—Shakespeare, sonnet 53what would be more agreeable, to be Jean whose blue eyes are a running stream
over small obstructions (until Jeanette lights the blue candles)
or Paul Òbreathlessly eagerÓ to Òenjoy her favorable comment,Ó e.g.,
that his face in the late apple-juice light was almost too much beauty,
like bark chopped off a cedar or a yellow bee
ticking clockwise on a red cloverÑnot less choice
than that? (certainly she was pleased to be at dinner
with one so breathlessly eager.) or regard Jeanette, who thinks
happiness a swaying bridge and not unlike. (sit near her, Paul, sheÕs
taken a liking to you.) a flag on which I sew a sprinklerÕs mathematics
tells how much can be locally told of waters formerly infuriate.
what would be more agreeable, to be JeanetteÕs white neck lit by Paul?
well, she wants Jean now, cold JeanÑstupid JeanetteÑ
whereas PaulÑvain, drunk, and stupidÑwants everyone.
reader, I know you miss the romantic master-pieces of yesteryear,
youÕre like thinking how can anything come to be now, distinct,
like to an orange bee on pink clover. yes, they all drum on Òlike,Ó
the likenesses, as if to hear the discriminate/indiscriminate rain.
About the Author
Cal Bedient is the author of two books of poetry, Candy Necklace and The Violence of Morning. He is a professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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