A Little Called Pauline by Gertrude Stein | Poets.org


February 3, 2013 · 6:48 PM

A Little Called Pauline

 

A little called anything shows shudders.

Come and say what prints all day. A whole few watermelon. There is no pope.

No cut in pennies and little dressing and choose wide

 

soles and little spats really little spices.

A little lace makes boils. This is not true.

Gracious of gracious and a stamp a blue green white

 

bow a blue green lean, lean on the top.

If it is absurd then it is leadish and nearly set in

 

where there is a tight head.

A peaceful life to arise her, noon and moon and

 

moon. A letter a cold sleeve a blanket a shaving

 

house and nearly the best and regular window.

Nearer in fairy sea, nearer and farther, show white

 

has lime in sight, show a stitch of ten. Count, count

 

more so that thicker and thicker is leaning.

I hope she has her cow. Bidding a wedding, widening

 

received treading, little leading mention nothing.

Cough out cough out in the leather and really feather

 

it is not for.

Please could, please could, jam it not plus more sit

in when.

 

Gertrude Stein is the author of the groundbreaking books Tender Buttons and The Making of Americans. She spent much of her time as an expatriate living in Paris.

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.

So keep your comments:

  • Civil
  • Smart
  • On-topic
  • Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters. We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please refer to our Terms of Use for full detail on participating on our site.