Crisis

To The Gay Film Industry in Crisis 

 —for Frank O'Hara

“Marilyn Monroe in her little 
spike heels reeling through 
Niagara Falls, Joseph Cotten 
puzzling”— Frank O'Hara
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Not you, lean Queer Theory quarterlies—
and swarthy academic periodicals

With your studious incursions toward—
the pomposity of ants
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Nor you, experimental theater with your—
Emotive Fruition wedding Poetic Insight 

Perpetually promenading Grand Opera—
oblivious Motion Picture Industry 
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In times of crisis, we must all decide—
again and again whom we love

And give credit where it's due—
Marilyn Monroe in NIAGARA FALLS
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Glorious Silver Screen, tragic Technicolor—
amorous Cinemascope Blonde Diva

Stretching Vistavision and startling—
Stereophonic Sound with all its dimensions 
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Reverberations and iconoclasms!—
the way She faints seeing her dead lover!

As she falls for eternity on the cold floor—
of the eternal Niagara Falls Time Tower!
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Her stunning urbanity, Monroe blossoming—
yes, to you and to all you others

The great, the near-great, the featured—
the extras who pass quickly and return 
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In dreams saying our one or two lines—
let Marilyn illumine this immediate space

With her marvelous appearances—
and glittering Elucidation of the world 
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Cover you eyes under the Klieg lights—
Marilyn Monroe our divine Diva 

Roll on, reels of celluloid, as the—
great earth rolls on and on!