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This poem is taken from PN Review 116, Volume 23 Number 6, July - August 1997.

Frog Chronicle Matthew Francis


1
These two round objects which are known as tomes
produce the gollum, which is passed through here
along the inkling, which as of course you know
is the same conduit used for passing water.

Before this happens the inkling must be aroused.
It extends to at least two and a half times its normal length,
which is called an allusion as I expect you knew.
He was bald and sweating with embarrassment.

And so we saw ourselves as doctors see us,
a pant-shaped diagram of butchery red
and the sawdust-yellow walls of organs. Yes,
we'd had an inkling. Tomorrow we'd do women.


2
Arousal must take place in both parties
before the frogging, which is the pushing of
the alluded inkling into the bermuda,
...


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