Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

John Forbes

Rocket To Rome

Rocket To Rome

Rocket To Rome

Read about the Goliard Poets
so long dead & so like you—

sile philomela pro tempore
surge cantilena de pectore


and think how little you deserve
the kisses of the Muse you serve,

play rock’n’roll for hours
until the neighbours cower

& the man downstairs complains
(& what a shame you can’t explain

how Joey Ramone’s Italian too—
the first worth listening to

since Rocco Scotellaro, or say
you’re in love with someone new

who’s like Italian to you—
beautiful and out of reach). Anyway,

replay Suzi is a Headbanger
or Rock, Rock, Rockaway Beach,

then get out the dictionary
& translate yourself to sleep.
Close

Rocket To Rome

Read about the Goliard Poets
so long dead & so like you—

sile philomela pro tempore
surge cantilena de pectore


and think how little you deserve
the kisses of the Muse you serve,

play rock’n’roll for hours
until the neighbours cower

& the man downstairs complains
(& what a shame you can’t explain

how Joey Ramone’s Italian too—
the first worth listening to

since Rocco Scotellaro, or say
you’re in love with someone new

who’s like Italian to you—
beautiful and out of reach). Anyway,

replay Suzi is a Headbanger
or Rock, Rock, Rockaway Beach,

then get out the dictionary
& translate yourself to sleep.

Rocket To Rome

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