The Introduction

I don't think this next poem

needs any introduction--

it's best to let the work speak for itself.

Maybe I should just mention

that whenever I use the word five,

I'm referring to that group of Russian composers

who came to be known as "The Five,"

Balakirev, Moussorgsky, Borodin-- that crowd.

Oh-- and Hypsicles was a Greek astronomer.

He did something with the circle.

That's about it, but for the record,

"Grimke" is Angelina Emily Grimke, the abolitionist.

"Imroz" is that little island near the Dardanelles.

"Monad"--well, you all know what a monad is.

There could be a little problem

with mastaba, which is one of those Egyptian

above-ground sepulchers, sort of brick and limestone.

And you're all familiar with helminthology?

It's the science of worms.

Oh, and you will recall that Phoebe Mozee

is the real name of Annie Oakley.

Other than that, everything should be obvious.

Wagga Wagga is in New South Wales.

Rhyolite is that soft volcanic rock.

What else?

Yes, meranti is a type of timber, in tropical Asia I think,

and Rahway is just Rahway, New Jersey.

The rest of the poem should be clear.

I'll just read it and let it speak for itself.

It's about the time I went picking wild strawberries.

It's called "Picking Wild Strawberries."

-Billy Collins

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Résumé

Razors pain you;

Rivers are damp;

Acids stain you;

And drugs cause cramp.

Guns aren't lawful;

Nooses give'

Gas smells awful;

You might as well live.

-Dorothy Parker

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Fog

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

-Carl Sandburg

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First Fig

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends---

It gives a lovely light!

-Edna St Vincent Millay

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