Night Clerk at the Hotel of Both Worlds

Planet of Distraction

34 Planet of Distraction I had summer on the planet of distraction, Wintered in a logjam. Lovers on the railway Rejoiced while the wind covered the snow With its body; the conductor behaved strangely. When birds of passage rowed the sky all night What were a few spoiled miles among friends? Unspoken masquerades, bridges Leading out of consciousness. Interested parties embraced the world’s ugliest lamp. Similarly, I embraced Beethoven’s comb, Ready to fling its richest music Into my teeth. On this planet every minute Was a cotton-picking finger-wagging minute. Luckily I’d gone a-roving And was taught by the finest eyes. ...