the green man

the green man came and said

oh ay matey

you have been and now I said

tirra-lirra to you

the high canopy of purple

and gold breaks in the East

skitterish the fogs are flying

for the West Coast

and now are all the animals running

for the safe nests and Home Counties

at a threadbare clip and do you say now

the tintamarre carvels to any

apple-cheeked boy for a craven success

this is the power structure

and the illimitable purpose

as for you and the mysticity

of a day beside the sea counseling you

there is Eugène Boudin in the museum

still