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" I wanted to get as far as my proto-dream-house,
my crypto-dream-house, that crooked box
set up on pilings, shingled green,
a sort of artichoke of a house, but greener
(boiled with bicarbonate of soda?),
protected from spring tides by a palisade
of—are they railroad ties?
(Many things about this place are dubious.)
I’d like to retire there and do nothing,
or nothing much, forever, in two bare rooms:
look through binoculars, read boring books,
old, long, long books, and write down useless notes,
talk to myself, and, foggy days,
watch the droplets slipping, heavy with light.
At night, a grog à l’américaine. "

Elizabeth Bishop , Geography III


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Elizabeth Bishop quote : I wanted to get as far as my proto-dream-house,<br />my crypto-dream-house, that crooked box<br />set up on pilings, shingled green,<br />a sort of artichoke of a house, but greener<br />(boiled with bicarbonate of soda?),<br />protected from spring tides by a palisade<br />of—are they railroad ties?<br />(Many things about this place are dubious.)<br />I’d like to retire there and do nothing,<br />or nothing much, forever, in two bare rooms:<br />look through binoculars, read boring books,<br />old, long, long books, and write down useless notes,<br />talk to myself, and, foggy days,<br />watch the droplets slipping, heavy with light.<br />At night, a <i>grog à l’américaine</i>.