John Ashbery

And Others, Vaguer Presences

Are built out of the meshing of life and space
At the point where we are wholly revealed
In the lozenge-shaped openings.  Because
It is argued that these structures address themselves
To exclusively aesthetic concerns, like windmills
On a vast plain.  To which it is answered
That there are no other questions than these,
Half squashed in mud, emerging out of the moment
We all live, learning to like it.  No sonnet
On this furthest strip of land, no pebbles,

No plants.  To extend one's life
All day on the dirty stone of some plaza,
Unaware among the pretty lunging of the wind,
Light and shade, is like coming out of
A coma that is a white, interesting country,
Prepared to lose the main memory in a meeting
By torchlight under the twisted end of the stairs.




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