Ernest Hemingway
Riparto D’Assalto
Drummed their boots on the camion floor,Hob-nailed boots on the camion floor.Sergeants stiff,Corporals sore.Lieutenant thought of a Mestre whore –Warm and soft and sleepy whore,Cozy, warm and lovely whore;Damned cold, bitter, rotten ride,Winding road up the Grappa side.Arditi on benches stiff and cold,Pride of their country stiff and cold,Bristly faces, dirty hides –Infantry marches, Arditi…
The only man I ever loved
And went awayHe was killed in PicardyOn a sunny day.
In the rain in the rain in the rain in the rain in Spain.
Oh yes my dear on the contrary and there are no bull fights.The dancers dance in long white pantsIt isn’t right to yence your auntsCome Uncle, let’s go home.Home is where the heart is, home is where the fart is.Come let us fart in the home.There is no art in a fart.Still a fart may…
A porcupine skin,
It must have ended somewhere.Stuffed horned owlPompousYellow eyed;Chuck-wills-widow on a biased twigSooted with dust.Piles of old magazines,Drawers of boy’s lettersAnd the line of loveThey must have ended somewhere.Yesterday’s Tribune is goneAlong with youthAnd the canoe that went to pieces on the beachThe year of the big stormWhen the hotel burned downAt Seney, Michigan.
Men went happily to death
Who marchedFor yearsUp to the line.These rode a few timesAnd were goneLeaving a heritage of obscene song.
By A Foreigner
They are so unlike Americans.They go home at night.Their cigarettes don’t smell bad.Their hats fit.They really believe that they won the war.They don’t believe in Literature.They think Art has been exaggerated.But they are wonderful on ice skates.A few of them are very rich.But when they are rich they buy more horsesThan motor cars.Chicago calls Toronto…
So now,
Takeing them back today,Dripping and dark the woods . . .
Never trust a white man,
Never sign a contract,Never rent a pew.Don’t enlist in armies;Nor marry many wives;Never write for magazines;Never scratch your hives.Always put paper on the seat,Don’t believe in wars,Keep yourself both clean and neat,Never marry whores.Never pay a blackmailer,Never go to law,Never trust a publisher,Or you’ll sleep on straw.All your friends will leave youAll your friends will…
There was a cat named Crazy Christian
He was gay hearted, young and handsomeAnd all the secrets of life he knewHe would always arrive on time for breakfastScamper on your feet and chase the ballHe was faster than any polo ponyHe never worried a minute at allHis tail was a plume that scampered with himHe was black as night and as fast…