“Why was this splendid monster given life?”
–Thomas M. Disch, Camp Concentration

The rent is due, and a pelagic grief
stretches far beyond what the eye can see.
Why was this splendid monster given life
only to end it all in misery?
Stretching far beyond what the eye can see
in ruled lines, the unpronounceable nouns
have come to end their lives in misery,
their faces painted bright as circus clowns.
Those ruled lines of unpronounceable nouns
once taught the autodidact orthoepy.
With faces painted bright as circus clowns,
the little toasters keep him company
but he has aimed a plaything at himself.
The rent is due, and a pelagic grief
will flood the many volumes on the shelf.
Why was this splendid monster given life?