by Charles Simic
I accused History of gluttony;
Happiness of anorexia!
O History, cruel and mystical, You ate Russia as if it were A pot of white beans cooked with Sausage, smoked ribs and ham hocks!
O Happiness, whose every miserly second Is brimming with eternity!
You sat over a dish of vanilla custard Without ever touching it!
The silent heavens were peeved!
They made the fair skies at sunset Flash their teeth and burp from time to time, Till our wedding picture slid off the wall.
The kitchen is closed, the waiters shouted! No more vineyard snails in garlic butter! No more ox tripe fried in onions!
We have only tears of happiness left!
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