The Collected Poems of Ted Berrigan (34 page)

& That Joe Brainard!!

He likes the boring Supremes!

Why doesn’t he be great,

like de Kooning?

Why doesn’t he button

that shirt?

Cook?

Be poor again & do great

Masterpieces?

Stop Tom-catting

around?

He makes everyone Nervous!!

He dresses funny!!

His apartment is weird!!

He’s compulsive!

Skinny!

Takes pills too

much!!

Talks to himself!

Solipsist!

Wants to have all the

fun!

Doesn’t like kids!!

Mean to his Mother!

Mean to his lovers!

Cynical!!

Stutters!!

Never comes to visit!!

Doesn’t like us

anymore.

An opportunist!!

Should get married!

Should do big oil paintings!!

Get Serious!!

Talk more!!                 Talk less!!

Tell the truth!!

Know the truth!!

Be perfect!!

God damn it!!

& the Train continues in the night. . . .

black outside

high inside.

What energy!

What a dumb book.

Glad I’ll never have to read

it.

Hope it gets a rise out of

SOMEBODY
!

Train blows whistle

when approaching

Station.

Didn’t get to Fuck

on it.

Did eat a terrible

hamburger:

$1.75

& drink

a pepsi:                              .35

_____

Total                   $2.20

Plus tip:                  .50

$4.00 is about to get off

of a Train,

into a cab.

Taxi Fare will be:

$3.50     & tip:     .50

But I have hidden resources:

95 cents

__________

You are my hidden resources!

You live in my world

at the other end of the train.