Morning

Alice Neel

Frank O'Hara (1960)

Oil on canvas 

34 x 16 1/8 inches

Morning

I've got to tell you

how I love you always

I think of it on grey 

mornings with death

in my mouth the tea

is never hot enough

then and the cigarette

dry the maroon robe

chills me I need you

and look out the window

at the noiseless snow

At night on the dock

the buses glow like

clouds and I am lonely

thinking of flutes

I miss you always

when I go to the beach

the sand is wet with

tears that seem mine

although I never weep

and hold you in my 

heart with a very real

humor you'd be proud of

the parking lot is 

crowded and I stand

rattling my keys the car

is empty as a bicycle

what are you doing now

where did you esat your

lunch and were there

lots of anchovies it

is difficult to think

of you without me in 

the sentence you depress

me when you are alone

Last night the stars 

were numerous and today

snow is their calling 

card I'll not be cordial

there is nothing that 

distracts me music is 

only a crossword puzzle

do you know how it is 

when you are the only

passenger if there is a 

place further from me

I beg you do not go

Frank O'Hara