Adrienne Rich
This evening let’s
not talk
about my country How
I'm from an optimistic culture
that speaks louder than my passport
Don't double-agent-contra my
invincible innocence I've
got my own
suspicions Let's
order retsina
cracked olives and bread
I've got questions of my own but
let's give a little
let's let a little be
If friendship is not a tragedy
if it's a mercy
we can be merciful
if it's just escape
we're neither of us running
why otherwise be here
Too many reasons not
to waste a rainy evening
in a backroom of bouzouki
and kitchen Greek
I've got questions of my own but
let's let it be a little
There's a beat in my head
song of my country
called Happiness, U.S.A.
Drowns out bouzouki
drowns out world and fusion
with its Get—get—get
into your happiness before
happiness pulls away
hangs a left along the piney shore
weaves a hand at you—"one I adore"—
Don't be proud, run hard for that
enchantment boat
tear up the shore if you must but
get into your happiness because
before
and otherwise
it's going to pull away
So tell me later
what I know already
and what I don't get
yet save for another day
Tell me this time
what you are going through
travelling the Metropolitan
Express
break out of that style
give me your smile
awhile