Three Laments - Diane DiPrima

I

Alas

I believe

I might have become

a great writer

but

the chairs

in the library

were too hard

II

I have

the upper hand

but if I keep it

I'll lose the circulation

in one arm

III

So here I am the coolest in New York

what dont swing I dont push.

In some Elysian field

by a big tree

I chew my pride

like cud.