Dream Song 324: An Elegy for Henry and

John Berryman

Dream Song 324: An Elegy for Henry and John Berryman
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Henry & John went underground—
They both worked hard, making poetry
New constantly, for so many years

Their high-jinks delighting us—
The English Language their classroom
Teaching & learning at the same time
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At dawn they both stayed in bed—
Propped up with pillows writing only for
Themselves and each other

The being through & going through—
Galleys & page-proofs to be read
they could only take it lying down
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In the sweet silence of their bedroom—
To whom was not denied the mysterious
Late excellence which is the crown

All their trials even their last poems—
The language alive & schmoozing
Here in this Land of the Living Dead