Sholem's Bias: Medicine And Other Curiosities

Zackary Sholem Berger talks to Alexander Dickow, a poet, translator, and critic working in both French and English, about navigating countries, languages, and esthetics. With cameo appearances by Dr. Seuss, the Babylonian Talmud, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here is the text of the poems read by Alexander Dickow on the podcast. To a Politician Your cellophane disguise for a tongue Furiously unbefits the even knavest Of these podium fisted Catilines I hate Whose dim broadcasts encrust With craven abjectives and slick nouns, Whose paramount pronouncements’ Weighty grovel fresh veneers each victim eye, Who gape and crave at limp wealth, Puppets of their own slanted lip And their thin speech as cheap As its callous stakes are ruthless: Our brittle faith, our breath, the truth. Galaxy Measureless and vacant husks Veneer along the pale gaps Kissing the smooth-lit kernels Far across the hesitation Contours Where cycles dip Ebbing forth aromas Of nectar vicinities All gleamed among Their dim stretchings