Ashbery reading Just Walking Around

John Ashbery reads "Just Walking Around" at the Kelly Writers House in Spring 2013 as part of the Kelly Writers House Fellows Program

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Who is the other, and whither longest way leads one to?

[@jbenny41]

Hear Richard Wilson's setting of JUST WALKING AROUND: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epCxXpiracaqb6s

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What name do I have for you? Certainly there is not name for you In the sense that the stars have names That somehow fit them. Just walking around, An object of curiosity to some, But you are too preoccupied By the secret smudge in the back of your soul To say much and wander around, Smiling to yourself and others. It gets to be kind of lonely But at the same time off-putting. Counterproductive, as you realize once again That the longest way is the most efficient way, The one that looped among islands, and You always seemed to be traveling in a circle. And now that the end is near The segments of the trip swing open like an orange. There is light in there and mystery and food. Come see it. Come not for me but it. But if I am still there, grant that we may see each other.