Courtship

Portrait of Mark Strand
Mark Strand 1934–2014

There is a girl you like so you tell her your penis is big, but that you cannot get yourself to use it. Its demands are ridiculous, you say, even self-defeating, but to be honored, somehow, briefly, inconspicuously in the dark.

When she closes her eyes in horror, you take it all back. You tell her you're almost a girl yourself and can understand why she is shocked. When she is about to walk away, you tell her you have no penis, that you don't

know what got into you. You get on your knees. She suddenly bends down to kiss your shoulder and you know you're on the right track. You tell her you want to bear children and that is why you seem confused. You wrinkle your brow and curse the day you were born.

She tries to calm you, but you lose control. You reach for her panties and beg forgiveness as you do. She squirms and you howl like a wolf. Your craving seems monumental. You know you will have her. Taken by storm, she is the girl you will marry.

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  1. Foo United States

    This is the stupid poem that I ever heard.

  2. Person Australia

    this is soooo stupid...the stupidest poem ever..and this person is called a poet?? thats funny! really funny...
    stupid poem

  3. Dave United States

    and obviously know nothing about poetry.

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