You, Monica Vitti, with your lips, like fruit, how could That guy in L’avventura be blamed for forgetting The other pouty bitch? If I got a new life I’d pray for A girl like you. The island where you lose your friend, Deserted and mysterious. And then after looking All over Italy for her, you fall for him. And what is It that compels him, in the aftermath of that party? In the destroyed room, strewn with plates, silverware, Food and candlesticks, he with her, on the dislodged Couch? And what is it that compels you to let it pass, Just like you let pass the death of a friend? A mystery. Like in your other Antonioni film, L’eclisse, Which ends with a series of unchanging images: the building, the sky, a fence, a street.
150 The Paris-American
James Franco is an actor, director, writer, and visual artist. Directing Herbert White (Graywolf Press, 2014) is his first full-length book of poetry.