Memorizing Frank

Did you try memorizing the poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay?

I found it to be the easiest of the three poems so far, maybe because the voice is more contemporary. Or maybe because I was so taken by the use of "prank" as a verb in the first line.

What I'm finding difficult: retaining my memory of the previous weeks' poems. They seem to slip away as soon as I start a new one.

This week's poem is by Frank O'Hara, chosen especially for its last three lines. You can find more work by Frank O'Hara at frankohara.org.

ANIMALS

Have you forgotten what we were like then
when we were still first rate
and the day came fat with an apple in its mouth

it's no use worrying about Time
but we did have a few tricks up our sleeves
and turned some sharp corners

the whole pasture looked like our meal
we didn't need speedometers
we could manage cocktails out of ice and water

I wouldn't want to be faster
or greener than now if you were with me O you
were the best of all my days


—Frank O'Hara