Most Read... John McAuliffeBill Manhire in Conversation with John McAuliffe
(PN Review 259)
Patricia CraigVal Warner: A Reminiscence
(PN Review 259)
Eavan BolandA Lyric Voice at Bay
(PN Review 121)
Joshua WeinerAn Exchange with Daniel Tiffany/Fall 2020
(PN Review 259)
Vahni CapildeoOn Judging Prizes, & Reading More than Six Really Good Books
(PN Review 237)
Christopher MiddletonNotes on a Viking Prow
(PN Review 10)
Next Issue Kirsty Gunn re-arranges the world John McAuliffe reads Seamus Heaney's letters and translations Chris Price's 'Songs of Allegiance' David Herman on Aharon Appelfeld Victoria Moul on Christopher Childers compendious Greek and Latin Lyric Book Philip Terry again answers the question, 'What is Poetry'
Poems Articles Interviews Reports Reviews Contributors
Reader Survey
PN Review Substack

This poem is taken from PN Review 70, Volume 16 Number 2, November - December 1989.

Two Poems for Thom Gunn August Kleinzahler

After Catullus

Heyho, loverboy
is that a radioactive isotope you've got
burning through your shirtfront
or are you just glad to see me?

                              Chump -
you couldn't bear it at her age
much less now.
Had you supposed the years made you pliant?
Look at yourself,

flesh hanging off you
same as the old fucks you take steam with
at the gym.
Better lay off the piss, buddyboy.

Think she doesn't notice?
She sees plenty.
Ask her girlfriends. Ask the hard-bellied punks
she has it off with in the dark.

Why don't you stop licking your nuts in the corner
like an injured tom.
...


Searching, please wait... animated waiting image