Eating Poetry

by Mark Strand

Ink runs from the corners of my mouth.
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.

The librarian does not believe what she sees.
Her eyes are sad and she walks with her hands
in her dress.

The poems are gone.
The light is dim.
The dogs are on the basement stairs and
are coming up.

Their eyeballs roll,
Their blond legs burn like brush.
The poor librarian begins to stamp her feet and
weep.

She does not understand.
When I get on my knees and lick her hand,
She screams.

I am a new man.
I snarl at her and bark.
I romp with joy in the bookish dark.