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  • Apothegms of Connecticut, and: Sea Surface Full of Clouds
  • Jan Schreiber

Apothegms of Connecticut

I The Ghost in the MachineA benison on Mr. S., who speaksIn basso enigmas but with lucid streaks.

II The Ghost in the ImaginationRiots in June are February’s dream.These frozen ponds conspire to rise as steam.

III Grace through StrengthThe hammerklavier virtuoso thwacksThe keys with brio that the music lacks.

IV Strength All the WayWhen porcelain piñatas swing, beware,Ramon Fernandez—passion’s in the air.

V Free Spirits IndoorsAll day through galleries pious pilgrims rushIn tranced pursuit of fashion’s fleeting brush.

VI Free Spirits Out of DoorsHigh street and low street the sprays of printemps wash.The connoisseur makes forays with galosh.

VII Nostalgia UprightErudite hermits basking in the scentOf novelty do not lack for precedent.

VIII Nostalgia RecliningThe fiery eye of Belle du Jour defendsMores of men. She has no female friends.

IX Wisdom at RestThe Lamborghini huffs and hews the curb,A synthesizer set on high reverb. [End Page 283]

X Wisdom in ActionRunning to meet your fate, you breast the waveAnd thumb your nose at fortune, fortune’s slave.

XI Wisdom for the RestA dog aspires to man, man to the stars.Bleak consolations come in whisky bars.

Sea Surface Full of Clouds

  (A Sequel)

In that November off TehuantepecThe restless sea ceased slopping in the nightAnd day broke into bright shards on the deck,

Reflecting chokecherries and chocolateUnder illusory umbrellas. GreenEffulgences engulfed the arch machine

Of ocean in their enviable cocoon.Who, then, anticipating ecstasyOf vision in the porches of the clouds,

Who plumbed the phantom blooms that swam beneathThe mere mirage of darkly dappled sea?C’était le petit garçon, mon vrai semblable.

Ageless imperious rhythms roiled the surgeOf violet tremors and mysterious swellsThat tolled the tulip shapes of carmine piles,

Summoning scented vapors and the foamOf unexhausted eddies that revolvedTo churn the sea’s kaleidoscope of tiles. [End Page 284]

Jan Schreiber
Brookline, Massachusetts
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