Stephen Dunn, Different Hours

Altruism is for thosewho can’t endure their desires.There’s a worldas ambiguous as a moan,a pleasure moanour earnest neighborsmight think a crime.It’s where we could live.I’ll say I love you,Which will lead, of course,to disappointment,but those words unsaidpoison every next moment.I will try to disappoint youbetter than anyone else has.–Mon Semblable

Stephen Dunn, Different Hours

Altruism is for thosewho can’t endure their desires.There’s a worldas ambiguous as a moan,a pleasure moanour earnest neighborsmight think a crime.It’s where we could live.I’ll say I love you,Which will lead, of course,to disappointment,but those words unsaidpoison every next moment.I will try to disappoint youbetter than anyone else has.–Mon Semblable

Stephen Dunn, Different Hours

Altruism is for thosewho can’t endure their desires.There’s a worldas ambiguous as a moan,a pleasure moanour earnest neighborsmight think a crime.It’s where we could live.I’ll say I love you,Which will lead, of course,to disappointment,but those words unsaidpoison every next moment.I will try to disappoint youbetter than anyone else has.–Mon Semblable