When the coalGave out, we beganBurning the books, one by one;First the setOf Bulwer-LyttonAnd then the Walter Scott.They gave a lot of warmth.Toward the end, inFebruary, flamesConsumed the GreekTragedians and Baudelaire,Proust, Robert BurtonAnd the Po-Chu-i. IceThickened on the sills.More for the sake of the cat,We said, than for ourselves,Who huddled, shivering,Against the stoveAll winter long.
Pop-upView Separately

When the coal
Gave out, we began
Burning the books, one by one;
First the set
Of Bulwer-Lytton
And then the Walter Scott.
They gave a lot of warmth.
Toward the end, in
February, flames
Consumed the Greek
Tragedians and Baudelaire,
Proust, Robert Burton
And the Po-Chu-i. Ice
Thickened on the sills.
More for the sake of the cat,
We said, than for ourselves,
Who huddled, shivering,
Against the stove
All winter long.

2 Notes/ Hide

  1. tenderloingeographicsociety posted this