Frank O’Hara, 1965, reading his poem Song-
Is it dirty
does it look dirty
that’s what you think of in the citydoes it just seem dirty
that’s what you think of in the city
you don’t refuse to breathe do yousomeone comes along with a very bad character
he seems attractive. is he really. yes very
he’s attractive as his character is bad. is it. yesthat’s what you think of in the city
run your finger along your no-moss mind
that’s not a thought that’s sootand you take a lot of dirt off someone
is the character less bad. no. it improves constantly
you don’t refuse to breathe do you