back to John Ashbery

“An Outing” by John Ashbery 🇺🇸 (28 Jul 1927 – 3 Sep 2017)
“These things … that you are going to have—
Are you paid specially for them?”
​
“Yes.”
​
“And when it is over, do you insist,
Do you insist that the visitor leave the room?”
“My activity is as random as the wind.
Why should I insist? The visitor is free to go,
Or to stay, as he chooses.”
​
Are you folks just going out for a walk
And if you are would you check the time
On your way back? It’s too late to do anything today.
I would just take a pratfall if I stepped outside that door.
​
“I don’t know whether I should apply or nothing.
I think you shd make yr decision.”
​
So it was by chance we found ourselves
Gumshod on the pebbled path, Denmark O Denmark
Flat, rounded eyes, Denmark Denmark
Gray parchment landscape Denmark O Denmark
Unmanageable sky, Denmark that cannot shift
The faucet drips, the minutes apply, Denmark.