John Berryman - “American Lights Seen from Off Abroad” lyrics

Blue go up & blue go down To light the lights of Dollartown Nebuchadnezzar had it so good? wink the lights of Hollywood I never think, I have so many things, flash the lights of Palm Springs I worry like a madwoman over all the world, affirm the lights, all night, at State I have no plans, I mean well swear the lights of Georgetown I have the blind staggers call the lights of Niagara We shall die in a palace shout the black lights of Dallas I couldn't dare less, my favorite son, fritter the lights of Washington (I have a brave old So-and-so, chuckle the lights of Independence, Mo.) I cast a shadow, what I mean, blurt the lights of Abilene Both his sides are all the same glows his grin with all but shame ‘He can do nothing night & day,' wonder his lovers. So they say. ‘Basketball in outer space' sneers the White New Hampshire House I'll have a smaller one, later, Mac hope the strange lights of Cal Tech I love you one & all, hate shock, bleat the lights of Little Rock I cannot quite focus cry the lights of Las Vegas I am a maid of shots & pills, swivel the lights of Beverly Hills Proud & odd, you give me vertigo, fly the lights of San Francisco I am all satisfied love & chalk, mutter the great lights of New York I have lost your way say the white lights of Boston Here comes a scandal to blight your bed. ‘Here comes a cropper.' That's what I said.