Skip to content

The Writer, Which Is Bad, Who Is Damned

2008 December 14
by J. Scott Mosel

                        for Joe Bastow

The Writer II

The Writer

I need
this weekend
to respond
more deeply
to your poems.

I have noticed great
sadness
in them.

Feelings of death
creep
upon me
when I read them,
and anger,
not because
I don’t like them,
but because I do
like
what is in them:
pure evil—
and I know the writer,
which is bad,
who is damned,
and then I know
I am damned
for liking
them,
and the it/you
that is damned
so beautifully
into the never-death
that is reserved
for you,
and very few
others,
in my heart.

from → J. Scott Mosel, Poetry

3 Responses
  1. megan everitt permalink
    December 14, 2008

    is that a picture from McSorley’s in NYC?!
    Good poem –

  2. J. Scott Mosel permalink*
    December 14, 2008

    Hey Megan! I am happy, and surprised, to find you here! Yes, this is the famous McSorley’s. I was not there with Joe, this time, but he was celebrating his 40th when this picture was taken. Say Hello to Seth for me. Love to all. Scott

  3. J. Bastow permalink*
    December 14, 2008

    Now you’ve done it. The monkeys of the world are on the march, and they know your name!

    Good stuff, J.S. –

Comments are closed.