People Behaving Badly a Concern

John Ashbery

Aggressive panhandling, public urination, verbal threats,

public nudity and violation of the open container law

followed us down the days, for why

are we here much longer,

or even this long? I ask you

to be civil and not interrupt night’s business.

It was fun getting used to you,

who couldn’t have been more nicer.

This was as modern as it had ever been.

They were influenced by him: some dirty magazine

on the air tonight. (Amid the chaos, reports of survivors.)

Didn’t the flowers’ restoration cat fugue keep spilling,

and like that? It wouldn’t be the first time, either.

The pro-taffeta get up and laugh,

investigate or communicate. The night you were

going to stay up late, others will kiss,

and he talks about you, and I don’t know what.

Come in, anyway,

and don’t lack for tales of the Assertion.

We’re talking civilian unrest.

Yes, well, maybe you should take one.

(Do not bite or chew.)