Issa's Sunday Service, #4

This week's segment of the ongoing Issa's Sunday Service features the LitRock song The Persecution and Resurrection of Dean Moriarty by the fine folk rock duo, Aztec Two-Step. Here's the poem from which they took their name:


See
----it was like this when
----------------------we waltz into this place
a couple of Papish cats
-----------------------is doing an Aztec two-step
And I says
-------------Dad let's cut it
but then this dame
-----------------comes up behind me see
------------------------------and says
-------------------You and me could really exist
Wow I says
---------------Only the next day
-------------------she has bad teeth
---------------------------and really hates
-----------------------------------------------poetry

Lawrence Ferlinghetti

This particular tune has a unique POV, the speaker being very suspicious and seemingly hateful of Jack Kerouac's god of the road, Dean Moriarty/Neal Cassady. One word of warning though: listen to this song 3 times and you won't be able to stop. The cut comes from their great debut album, which is available to purchase direct from the band.

This week's featured poem comes from Lilliput Review #5, from August 1989, which was the first broadside issue. The broadside consisted of 9 poems by small press poetry legend, Lyn Lifshin. Here's a little take on the ol' bait and switch:

Madonna Who Throws So Many
Intimate Details Out Fast

to camouflage
or distract
like pick
pockets who
work in pairs
a shove to
get you off
balance as
she moves in
to lift your
heart

Lyn Lifshin

the tea smoke
and the willow
dance partners

Issa
translated by David Lanoue

best,
Don