the shattered windshield and the bursting shell you will arrive
at our approximation here below
of heaven or hell).
To be specific, between the peony and the rose plant squash and spinach, turnips and tomatoes; beauty is nectar
and nectar, in a desert, saves —
but the stomach craves stronger sustenance than the honied vine.
Therefore, marry a pretty girl
after seeing her mother;
speak truth to one man,
work with another;
and always serve bread with your wine.
But, son,
always serve wine.
For Analysis
- Explain how the advice of lines 17-21 is logically related to the preceding lines.
- What do the final two lines tell the reader about the speaker?
Writing Topic
The advice of the first stanza seems contradictory. In what ways does the second stanza attempt to resolve the contradiction or explain “the trick” (I. 1)? What do the various plants and the bread and wine symbolize?
Robert Mezey (b. 1935)
My Mother 1970
My mother writes from Trenton, a comedian to the bone
but underneath, serious
and all heart. “Honey,” she says, “be a menschi and Mary too,
My Mother
A person of integrity and honor.
176 • INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE
it’s no good to worry, you
are doing the best you can your Dad and everyone
thinks you turned out very well as long as you pay your bills nobody can say a word
you can tell them to drop dead so save a dollar it can’t
hurt—remember Frank you went to highschool with? he still lives with his wife’s mother, his wife works while he writes his books and did he ever sell a one
the four kids run around naked 36 and he’s never had,
you’ll forgive my expression even a pot to piss in
or a window to throw it,
such a smart boy he couldn’t read the footprints on the wall honey you think you know all the answers you don’t, please try to put some money away
believe me it wouldn’t hurt
artist shmartist life’s too short for that kind of, forgive me, horseshit, I know what you want better than you, all that counts
is to make a good living
and the best of everything,
as Sholem Aleichem said
he was a great writer did
you ever read his books dear,
you should make what he makes a year anyway he says some place
Poverty is no disgrace
but it’s no honor either
that’s what I say,
love,
