Photo by Eve Aschheim
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Things I Should Tell You Before It’s Too Late
Princess Sitting Duck isn’t my real name
I am not one of the ones marred
By inexplicable outbursts of an obstreperous nature
Most times I am a curtain of conviviality
Don’t make friends with my dog
I used to collect ideas until I realized
I don’t have any of my own
Learn to shirk your duties
With dignity I always say
I used to dress in a squirrel suit
and play in the forest
where it flanks the railroad tracks
leading to the haunted mines
I never reached the rank of colonel
You can hold my hand
as long as you don’t lose it
I serve drinks in tall blue glasses
I am never sure which principles are mine
Sometimes I get glassy-eyed
and pee on the neighbor’s porch
I no longer throw stones at children
I bow whenever I see a high-ranking dignitary
stop to tie his shoes
or zip up his fly
Princess Sitting duck isn’t my nickname either
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John Yau has published many books of poetry, fiction, and criticism. He has a book of poems, Genghis Chan on Drums, forthcoming from Omnidawn, and a monograph on the Chinese artist Liu Xiaodong, from Lund Humphries (both fall 2021). He is the publisher of Black Square Editions, and his reviews of art and poetry appear regularly in the online magazine Hyperallergic Weekend. He lives in New York City and teaches at Mason Gross School of the Arts (Rutgers University). [For more information on, and work by, John Yau, click here.]
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John Yau, 1983. Oil on canvas by Robert Berlind
This made me howl with laughter and empathy and a lot of sadness. I love it. Terry, it really shows what you said on your POET AND POEM hour w/ Grace Cavalieri this morning. You said "Humor is just another way of being serious." Thank you, all 3 of your poets.
--Clarinda
Posted by: clarinda harriss | January 17, 2021 at 01:59 PM
While humor is often used as a way of getting an audience, it seems to work best, as it does here, as a way of meeting your audience where they live. Thank you for this pleasure.
Posted by: Beth Joselow | January 17, 2021 at 03:09 PM
Thanks for the comment, Clarinda.
Posted by: Terence Winch | January 17, 2021 at 03:13 PM
Thanks for that insightful comment, Beth.
Posted by: Terence Winch | January 17, 2021 at 03:15 PM
Truly excellent Ashbery imitation and proof of his profound influence.
Posted by: Ralph Nightingale | January 17, 2021 at 03:46 PM
You meant that as a compliment, Ralph, right?
I mean the poem is more than the sum of its
influences.
Posted by: Juan Dodson | January 17, 2021 at 04:35 PM
Hello, Terence, from Howard Bass’ big sister. I like this poem very much. And I love your poems! Howard sent me The Known Universe, which I read and reread and enjoy immensely. I also recently read Seeing-Eye Boy: it is terrific. I am a poet in Connecticut. My book The Fire in Hand was a finalist for the Conn Book Award in poetry this year. I am going to take the liberty of sending you a copy!
Best wishes -
Karen Torop
Posted by: Karen Torop | January 17, 2021 at 06:04 PM
Yau is one of my favorites of all time. There's something about his humor which is always very serious too. Thanks for posting this T. America has no idea what a treasure they have sitting there in an apt. on Broadway, quietly writing a million books and poems.
Posted by: Matthew Rohrer | January 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM
another knockout!it's always rewarding to read a poem of john's, or article, but this was the perfect selection for the fabulous anthology that could be made from all your selections thus far terence...so thank you and thanks john...
Posted by: lally | January 18, 2021 at 11:57 AM
Thanks, Matt. I completely agree.
Posted by: Terence Winch | January 18, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Thank you, Michael. I thought you would like this one.
Posted by: Terence Winch | January 18, 2021 at 12:20 PM
Thank you once again for sharing this.
Posted by: Doug Pell | January 18, 2021 at 01:52 PM
It seems an apropos occasion to mention it: A bit over a year ago, I, too, was the pick of the week at BAP (so, not really, but you take what you can get) https://blog.bestamericanpoetry.com/the_best_american_poetry/2019/09/kent-johnson-asks-could-someone-tell-me-why.html
The poem is from my recent book, Because of Poetry, I Have a Really Big House, which, as chance would choose, was kindly reviewed at Hyperallergic Weekend, edited by John Yau himself: https://hyperallergic.com/588011/poems-about-the-business-of-being-a-poet/
Posted by: Kent L Johnson | January 18, 2021 at 02:44 PM
Eileen
Posted by: Brilliant and funny. Love it. | January 18, 2021 at 04:12 PM
Thanks for tuning in, Mr. Pell
Posted by: Terence Winch | January 18, 2021 at 05:05 PM
Thank you, Eileen. I'm glad you liked it.
Posted by: Terence Winch | January 18, 2021 at 06:07 PM