April

What I Know
by Lee Robinson

What I know for sure is less and less:
that a hot bath won't cure loneliness.

That bacon is the best bad thing to chew
and what you love may kill you.

The odd connection between perfection
and foolishness, like the pelican
diving for his fish.

How silly sex is.
How, having it, we glimpse
our holiness.

What I know is less and less.
What I want is more and more:

you against me—
your ferocious tenderness—

love like a star,
once small and far,
now huge, now near.

"What I Know" by Lee Robinson, from Hearsay.

April

One rainy night in Princeton, Jim and I heard Dave Van Ronk sing Green Green Rocky Road

When he got to the chorus he sang it, then stopped and recited it to us as dramatically as possible.

"They just don't write lyrics like that anymore." he told us, sadly.
The moment has always stayed with me.


Ooka dooka soda cracker,
Does your mama chew tobacco,
Cause if your mama chews tobacco,
Sing ooka dooka soda cracker

Green, green rocky road,
(Promendade in green,)
Tell me who you love,
Tell me who you love.