The few undergrads still clinging to the safe confines of Uris library are a haggard looking group indeed. One more Lourie for the road. Incidentally this is the last in his book that began with the "Thinking of You" posted previously.

"Reprimand"



and what about just those few hours each day

you said you would keep clear for writing poems

here it is sunset in upstate New York

all day good things  :  visits     letters    music

food     but nothing at all in your notebook

no dreams     no politics     no loving

why didn't you sit down right away      fresh

early morning    coffee at the desk     limber

and start to write     now it's too late again


and in your bed tonight what will you say

to the legion of dead poets who walk

into your sleep like brothers and sisters

coming home and insist that tomorrow

might be your last day alive    they say "hurry

soon enough you will have to be silent-

before that  :  speak and speak     we are listening"