John Berryman is dead
all his invitations, rescinded
unlikely as it seems, Pound has not been uncaged
and Pisa remains uncovered by the summer's sky

John Berryman is dead
his cantos have, indeed shaken my courage
expressions have been lifted
and letters signed and delivered

John Berryman is dead
it seems he did not die at too slow a rate, after all
the Washington Avenue Bridge spoke too quickly
and too loud, whispered in his father's voice

John Berryman is dead
released all his demons and avoided all his devils
grieve for this stranger, made friendly and strange
the bells sing too late

John Berryman is dead
bones go all the same all the same
accept our envy O winner of praise
sing your dreams dead poet