1. <br /> <br />Looking into the eyes of Gerard de Nerval <br />You notice the giant sea crabs rising. <br />Which is what happens <br />When you look into the eyes of Gerard de Nerval, <br />Always the same thing: the giant sea crabs, <br />The claws in their vague red holsters <br />Moving around, a little doubtfully. <br /> <br />2. <br /> <br />But looking into the eyes of Pierre Reverdy <br />Is like throwing the editorial page <br />Out into the rain <br />And then riding alone on the subway. <br /> <br />Also, it is like avoiding your father. <br />You are hiding and he looks for you <br />Under each vine; he is coming nearer <br />And nearer. What can you do <br />But ignore him? <br /> <br />3. <br /> <br />In either case, soon you are riding alone on a subway. <br />Which is not important. <br />What is important is to avoid <br />Looking too closely into the eyes of your father, <br />That formal eclipse.<br /><br />Larry Levis<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/readings-in-french/
