Poetics

by Diane DiPrima

I have deserted my post, I couldn't hold it
rearguard/to preserve the language/lucidity:
let the language fend for itself.
it turned over god knows enough carts in the city streets
its barricades are my nightmares

preserve the language!--there are
               enough fascists &
               enough socialists
on both sides
so that no one will lose this war

the language shall be my element, I plunge in
I suspect that I cannot drown
like a fat brat catfish, smug
             a hoodlum fish
I move more & more gracefully
             breathe it in,
success written on my mug till the fishpolice
corner me in the coral & I die