Viper jazz Quotes

“Trained slugs race across his jello
in eight-cylinder sombreros”
― James Tate, Viper jazz

“Poem (I Can’t Speak for the Wind)

I don’t know about the cold.
I am sad without hands.
I can’t speak for the wind
Which chips away at me.
When pulling a potato, I see only the blue haze.
When riding an escalator, I expect something
orthopedic to happen.
Sinking in quicksand, I’m a wild appaloosa.
I fly into a rage at the sight of a double-decker bus,
I want to eat my way through the Congo,
I’m a double agent who tortures himself
and still will not speak.
I don’t know about the cold,
But I know what I like I like tropical madness,
I like to shake the coconuts
And fingerprint the pythons,-
fevers which make the children dance.
I am sad without hands,
I’m very sad without sleeves or pockets.
Winter is coming to this city,
I can’t speak for the wind
which chips away at me.”
― James Tate, Viper jazz