Lo, from the muff of . . . sleep

"He should have stood in bed and read a poem."—Delmore Schwartz, "Disorder Overtakes Us All Day Long"

From common concupiscence I retreat

and turn away as anyone well can

but never will delude my self-conceit.

I'm envious as any other man.

I turn and turn about within my seat

striving to formulate a better plan

to save a life that so well suits my meat,

in hope of temperance yet proving sweet.

In boundless space, confounded ifs and buts!

Infinities thus undone are cruel cuts.

Title also from Delmore Schwartz, "Disorder Overtakes Us All Day Long."