Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Others

Increment, gain, increase— My belly grows in peace Fatter than Buddhas or The heaviest emperor.

Increment of the self: No Ghibelline or Guelph Felt his self more intact Than I, or more perfect.

Gain of the weighty word: Ponderous and absurd Analogies from Greece Fatten my speech apace

And struggle to increase. I struggle, in my grease, Half man and half cold fat, To wear my weightiest hat,

To gain, and hold my gains: My egg and gravy stains, Like jewels in my crown My academic gown,

My hair that duly parts, My six reptilian hearts, My simple murderer's hands On which the live fat stands,

And, by itself, my head, Sluggish and amply fed, Which thinks with glee of that Ever-amassing fat.

Substance and self-respect. I am of that good sect Of which the Khan is weighed In diamonds, then betrayed,

And if I talk to you Slowly, my voice like glue, Shaking, my hands like tongues, Breathing from heavy lungs,

You may know I would have Your substance to my grave, And would acquire your weight To my edifice of hate

That is the only good. Copper, nor brick, nor wood Lie on my endless paunch Like everlasting lunch,

But let them write for me "He is as he would be, Weighty," and set it down In fat, substantial stone.

Increment, gain, increase— What have we got but these? What we have got we know. My belly tells me so.