Chapter I: DO not know very much,

But I know this-- That the storms of contempt that sweep over us, Ready to blast any edifice before then Rise from the fathomless maelstrom Of contempt for ourselves. If there be a god, May he preserve me From striking with these lightnings Those whom I love.

Saying which, Zarathustra strolled on Down Fifth Avenue.

The last three lines
Are symptomatic.

EMANUEL MORGAN _Opus 104_

HOW terrible to entertain a lunatic! To keep his earnestness from coming close!

A Madagascar land-crab once Lifted blue claws at me And rattled long black eyes That would have got me Had I not been gay.

ANNE KNISH _Opus 182_

"HE'S the remnant of a suit that has been drowned; That's what decided me," said Clarice. "And so I married him, I really wanted a merman; And this slimy quality in him Won me. No one forbade the banns. Ergo--will you love me?"

EMANUEL MORGAN _Opus 101_

HE not only plays One note But holds another note Away from it-- As a lover Lifts A waft of hair From loved eyes.

The piano shivers, When he touches it, And the leg shines.

ANNE KNISH _Opus 181_

SKEPTICAL cat, Calm your eyes, and come to me. For long ago, in some palmed forest, I too felt claws curling Within my fingers . . . Moons wax and wane; My eyes, too, once narrowed and widened Why do you shrink back? Come to me: let me pat you-- Come, vast-eyed one . . . Or I will spring upon you And with steel-hook fingers Tear you limb from limb. . . .

There were twins in my cradle. . . .

EMANUEL MORGAN _Opus 78_