Monogram by Bill Berkson

For Bernadette Mayer

Just one more vintage movie,

Batwings tonight at the Bal Masqué —

Another creature stuffed

By distinguished pedigree.

I get a lot of madcap ideas about sentience,

How knowing has you put down in the book

Forbidden speech recognition —

Else why make such a face?

And now it’s luck no longer mouth that moves

When fastidious rummage whispers

To divulge a surplus

A clue if not the key.

Prospect my question laps up for good —

I lean to it. Knowing you,

First-person dwindle.

Tweet-tweet. Prick.

Rating:

Monogram