Classic Poem

" We
would like you
to
do a reading, " the woman in the dream said
I said what
I always say: " I
would prefer not to. " Then she said,
" We
will pay you. "
" Oh
okay, in that case: sure "
She led me through a sort of
long narrow space like a
small-town jewelery shop,
through a door at the back which opened suprisingly,
into a fairly roomy auditorium. " It's empty, "
I said; " let's call the whole thing off. "
" Be patient, "
she said; " it's early yet. They will come. " And
so they did: old ladies,
little kids, sailors in bright
whites: " Some of my poems are too lively,
let us say, for
children; I'd
better adjust my program. " " Whatever, "
she said; " but do me one favor: before you start,
please just say, " This is not the auction." " She introduced me
I said, " Before I start,
I've been asked to say that
this is not the auction. "
And everybody got up and left.

Used by permission of the author. Copyright 2005