Genetic Litterbug

If you find yourself referring to babies as sperm sculptures, you might like section four ("The First-Born") in James Merrill's Peter where you can find a beautiful line about the subject of the poem who is no slouch in the paternity department. "Fact is, you've children everywhere." The subject is not inclined to muster ongoing support for the products of procreation. "But figure you help them more in the long run / By not helping now." The poet late in the poem exclaims "Genetic litterbug!" Apt turn of phrase for the man uninterested in curating his output.

And so for day 1460
12.12.2010