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Poem To Tamara #5

Poem To Tamara #5
Poem To Tamara, #5

Poem to T #5 (to be read in conjuntion [sic] with poem to Lester #1[1])

 

My bad friend

like all true

ameteur [sic] psychologists

cummingsimitators[2]

& wordrunnertogethers

I see through everybody

but myself

BUT

i don’t fear

for i know that i misinterpret

whether thru

or outside.

Let me say noninitially (since this letter already contains 51 words)

i too love people

            (especially me) and

only insofar as

            (they make me unhappy

                                    or mar my joy)

if i leave them alone

            itsbecasue of either

(1)  theyleavemealone                        or

(2)  they’re droll

                        which I don’t hold against them

and furthermore

“my superiority”

            is only mental

which means its all in my mind

which means I don’t have to show it because

its showable only in words

            which don’t mean anything anyway

also you said once before that artistic people are the only one worth anything

            or agreed with me when i said it

however, i left out something

                                    that is,

            there is more to life than art

which i know now

                        but didn’t then.

Forgive my neurosis.

            So you care what people think enough to line your eyes

                        GOOD

You look better that way.

            Y’see, cher—

you have judged me by what i write

                        & say i think

which is an unpardonable error

                        for all that is merely wish fulfillment

as Dr. Freud will will tell you.

Another thing: I pointed out no failings. I only said you were a hypocrite and that was no putdown cause I am too & so is everybody else. You intend to do nothing about them? A startling revelation? No, A meaningless trait. Who gives a damn? Your problems (or pretended problems) are … [truncated]

 

[1] “Poem To Lester #1” remains extant.

[2] e.e. cummings

 


 

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The ideas and opinions expressed in the writings of Lester Bangs or those of his scholars do not necessarily represent the views of the Grossmont Cuyamaca College District, nor those of the individuals responsible for the acquisition and archiving of these materials.
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Last Updated: 08/27/2016

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