Three Laments

by Diane DiPrima

I

Alas
I believe
I might have become
a great writer
but
the chairs
in the library
were too hard

      II

I have
the upper hand
but if I keep it
l'll lose the circulation
in one arm

     III

So here I am the coolest in New York
what dont swing I dont push.

In some Elysian field
by a big tree
I chew my pride
like cud.