“Legman assman bustman, abominable Henry”
(from Henry’s Fate and Other Poems)
by
John Berryman
Legman assman bustman, abominable Henry
wandered thro’ France & Italy agog:
my God what visible places.
Everywhere he studied with both his eyes the faces
of those whose fates were his, like a Sligo bog
to be cut & burnt, or be
flourisht amongst great clouds for a long time
ah next San Marco choiring, who was cut off
just ere he finisht his work,
Henry’s destiny? He fought it tooth & rime
country to country, hanging on. When he’s had enough
he’ll mount into the dark
but not (praise Serenissimo) until
tranquil in Athens to the final touch
he takes his restless labour.
O he is not working as at the mill
nor is he working yet for any neighbour
save two, whom with the future he counts on much.
Biblioklept 