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Paul Goodman, poet, novelist, playwright,
critic, psychologist, and anarchist
philosopher, has had an incalculable
influence on the counter-culture. His most
recent book of poems is NORTH PERCY
(Black Sparrow).
FALL 1968
Eating alone
apart from the company
because no one
is interesting to me
and walking alone
day after day
because no one
will go my way
- nevertheless
it is good for exile
to live in a place
that is beautiful.
I am crying bitterly
because I murdered
like the Moor in the play
her who only murmured.
it is no use
to withhold criticism
I cannot choose
to be stupider than I am.
Oh now the year of woe
since my son died
merges into "I too"
that always did abide
and this mortal grief
mixing with
my lonesome life
and sexless youth
I am crying because
the autumn woods are lovely
in this world that was
not made for me
All mixed up is my grief,
red fall has come
and soon I will leave
for still another home.
A man so little
in touch with folks
ought not to meddle
in politics,
the peace my trouble
is thirsty for
is too universal.
It is no wonder
I do not want power
and victory,
that sits with joy
on a naive boy,
is hateful to me.
For me there is no way
but magnanimity.
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