Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AFTER IKKYU: 52 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: ONCE AND FOR ALL THERE'S NO GENETIC VIRTUE
Last Line: FOR SUCH MATTERS, NO HAPPINESS OUTSIDE CONSCIOUSNESS. DRINK.
Once and for all there's no genetic virtue.
Our cherubic baldy flounces around, fresh out of Boulder,
in black robes, Japanese words quick on his tongue.
World War 11 nearly destroyed my family, so I ask
him to learn Chinese. He understands I'm a fool.
Then over a gallon of wine we agree there's no language
for such matters, no happiness outside consciousness. Drink.



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