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Lot 137 Property from the Estate of Constance Lewallen
PHILIP GUSTON (1913-1980)
Roots, from Enigma Variations
Closed10 March 2023
Price Realised
USD 27,720
More Information
Specialist note
ROOTS
The people round off this planet
in sphere of sharp perfection
prickly, blithe
as the jawbone
of a spiritualist’s peevish
ups and downs.
However, these bubbles
could care less,
stuck, I guess
in familiar gnawing sleep
between the lights
of droning planes
as the people undress
persuasive and abundant
inside the lens
its knowing glance
forever equals
the amazing ability to forget
The above poem was first published in Enigma Variations, Bill Berkson’s 1975 book of poetry that included dedicated drawings by Philip Guston. The present drawing accompanied this poem in the publication.
The people round off this planet
in sphere of sharp perfection
prickly, blithe
as the jawbone
of a spiritualist’s peevish
ups and downs.
However, these bubbles
could care less,
stuck, I guess
in familiar gnawing sleep
between the lights
of droning planes
as the people undress
persuasive and abundant
inside the lens
its knowing glance
forever equals
the amazing ability to forget
The above poem was first published in Enigma Variations, Bill Berkson’s 1975 book of poetry that included dedicated drawings by Philip Guston. The present drawing accompanied this poem in the publication.