Homage to Rrose Sélavy

by Frank O’Hara

Towards you like amphibious airplanes
peacocks and pigeons seem to scoot!

First thing in the morning your two eyes
are shining with all night’s funny stories

and every time you sit down during the day
someone drops a bunch of rubies on your lap.

When I see you in the drugstore or bar I
gape as if you were a champagne fountain

and when you tell me how your days and nights
seem to you you are my own stupid Semiramis. 

Listen, you are really too beautiful to be true
you egg-beater and the next time I see you

clattering down a flight of stairs like a
ferris wheel jingling your earrings and feathers

a subway of smiling girls a regular fireworks
display, I’ll carry you to Venice!