THE EMPEROR OF ICE-CREAM
by: Wallace Stevens (1879-1955)
- ALL the roller of big cigars,
- The muscular one, and bid him whip
- In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
- Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
- As they are used to wear, and let the boys
- Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
- Let be be finale of seem.
- The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
-
- Take from the dresser of deal,
- Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
- On which she embroidered fantails once
- And spread it so as to cover her face.
- If her horny feet protrude, they come
- To show how cold she is, and dumb.
- Let the lamp affix its beam.
- The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
"The Emperor of Ice-Cream"
is reprinted from The Dial, July 1922. |
MORE
POEMS BY WALLACE STEVENS |
|