Song (Is it dirty) by Frank O’Hara

Frank O'Hara

Song (Is it dirty) by Frank O’Hara

T.

No sleep, no bath, no patience, no rest, no more, no more.

Song (Is it dirty)

Frank O’Hara

Is it dirty

does it look dirty

that’s what you think of in the city

does it just seem dirty

that’s what you think of in the city

you don’t refuse to breathe do you

someone comes along with a very bad character

he seems attractive. is he really. yes. very

he’s attractive as his character is bad. is it. yes

that’s what you think of in the city

run your finger along your no-moss mind

that’s not a thought that’s soot

and you take a lot of dirt off someone

is the character less bad. no. it improves constantly

you don’t refuse to breathe do you

—

This is from Lunch Poems by Frank O’Hara, published by City Lights Books, 1964.

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poetry