Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Here's a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (born March 24, 1919), American poet, painter, social activist, and the co-founder of City Lights Booksellers & Publishers in San Francisco.

The Pennycandystore Beyond the El

The pennycandystore beyond the El
is where i first
fell in love
with unreality
jellybeans glowed in the semi-gloom
of that september afternoon
A cat upon the counter moved among
the licorice sticks
and tootsie rolls
and Oh Boy Gum

Outside the leaves were falling as they died

A wind had blown away the sun

A girl ran in
Her hair was rainy
Her breasts were breathless in the little room

Outside the leaves were falling
and they cried
Too soon! too soon!

--Lawrence Ferlinghetti