Eating Poetry

Ink runs from the corners of my mouth.
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.

The librarian does not believe what she sees.
Her eyes are sad
and she walks with her hands in her dress.

The poems are gone.
The light is dim.
The dogs are on the basement stairs and
coming up.

Their eyeballs roll,
their blond legs burn like brush.
The poor librarian begins to stamp her feet
and week.

She does not understand.
When I get on my knees and lick her hand,
she screams.

I am a new man.
I snarl at her and bark.
I romp with joy in the bookish dark.

Reasons for Moving 1969 Anthenem

Mr. Strand will be reading from his own poetry as well as his translations of Spanish and Portuguese poetry.

Cosponsored by: Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the Graduate College, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, The Council of Deans, The Center for Advanced Study, George A. Miller Endowment, George A. Miller Committee, Peggy Harris Memorial Fund, School of Art and Design, Department of English, Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Frances P. Rohlen Visiting Artist Lecture Series, International Programs and Studies, Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion, La Casa Cultural Latina, LAS/Humanities Council, Program for the Study of Cultural Values and Ethics, Program in Comparative Literature, Robert J. Carr Visiting Writers Fund, University of Illinois Press, University Library