John Ashbery

 

"THEY DREAM ONLY OF AMERICA" 

They dream only of America
To be lost among the thirteen million pillars of grass: "This honey is delicious
Though it burns the throat."

And hiding from darkness in barns
They can be grownups now
And the murderer's ash tray is more easily— The lake a lilac cube.

He holds a key in his right hand. "Please," he asked willingly.
He is thirty years old.
That was before

We could drive hundreds of miles At night through dandelions. When his headache grew worse we Stopped at a wire filling station.

Now he cared only about signs. Was the cigar a sign?
And what about the key?
He went slowly into the bedroom.

"I would not have broken my leg if I had not fallen Against the living room table. What is it to be back Beside the bed? There is nothing to do
For our liberation, except wait in the horror of it.

And I am lost without you."