The systematic destruction of yellow was their project.
The daffodil remained a problem
with its thoughtless persistence
and butter was liked by many.
But soon the advertisers
and the public relations persons,
revived by cash injections,
floated rafts of measures
on our streams of consciousness
and we all came to see that
yellow was vile,
had always been vile.
Sun-drenched beaches with their golden sands
were hidden under red carpets.
Sufferers from cowardice and jaundice
were subjected to severe administrative reassignment.
A protest campaign led by wasps and bees
had its sting drawn by honeyed words.
“Next year”, it was announced,
“we shall eliminate circles.”
(Raymond Queneau)
More Poetry from Raymond Queneau:
- Cleanliness (Raymond Queneau Poems)
- Praising Thy Wren (Raymond Queneau Poems)
- Detention (Raymond Queneau Poems)
- Hell! (Raymond Queneau Poems)
- Front-Page Carnage (Raymond Queneau Poems)
- Frankness: Wedded Sournesses (Raymond Queneau Poems)