Classic Poem

1.

I squinted to find myself alone with a few impudent flies
In the violet haze of noon;
I squinted to get a look
Between green-black frogs
That squirmed, at the wind's touch,
On tall, sky-slanting spears;
Beyond them the white shadows of discarded worlds
And, like the seven-clawed Chinese dragon,
They bellied and clawed at a background
Of bright seamless blue.

2.

I had eaten a very good lunch,
Three times noticed red dust in my wine glass,
Three times my glass was a sullen red.
When I left the table my lips were sweet with the burnt flavor of coffee
Yet I grew silent and serious
As I lit a cigarette.
I arranged myself in a soft chair;
I considered the universe;
I considered myself;
I considered the universe and myself;
I considered my cook;
I considered my house;
And then I squinted to find myself alone with a few impudent flies
In the violet haze of noon.
Something was missing.
Something there was for which I waited
Being but half-distracted by all else.
I had a full belly;
I had a good cook;
I had a good house;
And I have already told you,
To show that I do not lack imagination,
What I saw moving
Beyond green-black frogs
That squirmed, at the wind's touch,
On tall sky-slanting spears.

3.

Yet I grew silent and serious
As I lit a cigarette
And squinted to find myself alone with a few impudent flies
In the violet haze of noon,
Until I remembered reading
That Greek gods used to grow silent and serious
When they were offered much food and wine,
And I repented,
And wrote these lines to announce my apology
To Whosoever will accept them.