My ancestors rise from their graves to be shocked at my soul's wild climbing (They were strong, they were righteous, my ancestors, but they always kept on their clothes) My mate is the best of all mates alive: his voice is a raptured rhyming: He chants "Come Down!" but it cannot come, either for him or those! My ancestors pound from their ouija-board: my mate leaps in swift indignation: I must tell the world of their wonders, but I must be strong and free-- Though all sires and all mates cry out in a runic incantation, My soul shall be stripped and buttonless--it shall dwell in a naked tree! _Aline Kilmer_ (With a certain aloofness.) ADMIRATION Kenton's arrogant eyes watch the Widdemer pear-tree, His thistle-down-footed sister puts out her tongue at him.... Kenton, what do you see? That yonder is only a bare tree; Come, carry Deborah home; she is gossamer-light and slim. "Aw, mother, but I don't want to!" Kenton replies with devotion, "I've gathered you stones for the bird; come on, don't you want to throw 'em?" Ah, Kenton, Kenton, my child, who but you would have such an emotion? But in spite of it I admire you, as you'll see when you read this poem. _The Benet Brothers_ (They sing arm in arm, Stephen Vincent having rather more to do with the verse and William Rose with the chorus. Their sister Laura is too busy looking for a fairy under the tree to add to the family contribution.) THE GRACKLE OF GROG It was old Yale College Made me what I am-- You oughto heard my mother When I first said damn! I put a pin in sister's chair, She jumped sky-high ... I don't know what'll happen When I come to die! _But oh, the stars burst wild in a glorious crimson whangle,_ _There was foam on the beer mile-deep, mile-high, and the pickles were piled like seas,_ _Noeara's hair was a flapper's bob that turned to a ten-mile tangle,_ _And the forests were crowded with unicorns, and gold elephants charged up trees!_ [Illustration] Forceps in the dentist's chair, Razors in the lather ... Lord, the black experience I've had time to gather ... But I've thought of one thing That may pull me through-- I'm a reg'lar devil But the Devil was, too! _There were thousands of trees with knotholed knees that kicked in a league-long rapture,_ _Birds green as a seasick emerald in a million-mile shrieking row--_ _It was sixty dollars or sixty days when the cop had made his capture...._ _But God! the bun was a gorgeous one, and the Faculty did not know!_ _Lola Ridge_ (Who apparently did not care for the suburbs.) PREENINGS I preen myself.... I ... Always do ... My ego expanding encompasses ... Everything, naturally.... This bird preens himself ... It is our only likeness....