The Doctrine of English Verbs

THE DOCTRINE OF ENGLISH VERBS

The doctrine of English verbs
tells a sad science,
a lyrical experiment in being gone.

Sing, sang, sung — doing it, did it
and now it’s done. But what’s to come?

I will sing. Sure. We hear that will,
future marker, and know it means I want

and we know how it is with wanting,
getting what I want. Even when my will

is bent to my desire like a man
breaking his back rowing his dull boat,

all his strength, and can’t see, can’t see
where he’s going, we row backwards

into the dark. The doctrine
of English verbs will break your heart.


From LAPIS, by Robert Kelly.

Posted over on Virtual Hudson Valley Podcast