San Francisco State, this was largely
a matter of walking into the student lounge at about 1
o'clock with about 250 students lounging,
and then reading to them.
And there were people there who weren't quite expecting
the reading.
What--
[LAUGHTER]
One thing that occurred to me afterwards--
sometime I think I will have nerve enough
to do this-- would be to go into the main lobby of a Conrad
Hilton Hotel and read for about an hour,
and see what would happen.
I have a feeling something probably would happen.
The interesting thing too about the lounge
reading at San Francisco was there was a pop art exhibit on.
There were huge apple pies made out of plaster.
On my right there was a very large Uncle Sam enlistment
poster saying, join the army.
And on the left there were comic strip characters: Batman,
Superman, and Wonder Woman.
And I must say I felt at home.
[LAUGHTER]
I'm going to read--
the sheets that you have four poems on them.
I'm going to read those poems roughly in order.
There'll be one additional poem that I'll be reading.
And then there'll be something of a pause
so I can catch my breath.
First poem is called "Holding Hands."
This by the way is page one for the new book of poems.
Seems a good place to start.
Always, I am leaving people.
Missing them, going out to them and loving them.
Holding hands, doing turnabouts, ah!
Going to movies with them, clowning, reverential,
an enthusiast.
For what?
The certain good of sleeping with them.
Holding them, climbing into their bellies.
I am present in them.
Approving their skins' most foolish
hopes, warmest impulses, and the loss of vanity.
The presence of which-- and all is lost.
Huge stars are falling.
Great owls circle above us.
We sit here in wonderment.
Is there anyone?
Anyone?
Anyone has not been with?
The truth is, nothing else matters.
You are, I am, he is.
The world will please come to order.
Be seated, hold hands.
No, it won't.
Don't be scared.
Cover up my love.
We will all of us never not be in you.
My love loves the first.