Jan 10

Song of the Round Man (Palmer)

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Song of the Round Man, by Michael Palmer (1943-)

The round and sad-eyed man puffed cigars as if
he were alive. Gillyflowers
to the left of the apple, purple bells to the right

 

and a grass-covered hill behind.
I am sad today said the sad-eyed man
for I have locked my head in a Japanese box

 

and lost the key.
I am sad today he told me
for there are gillyflowers by the apple

 

and purple bells I cannot see.
Will you look at them for me
he asked, and tell me what you find?

 

I cannot I replied
for my eyes have grown sugary and dim
from reading too long by candlelight.

 

Tell me what you’ve read then
said the round and sad-eyed man.
I cannot I replied

 

for my memory has grown tired and dim
from looking at things that can’t be seen
by any kind of light

 

and I’ve locked my head in a Japanese box
and thrown away the key.
Then I am you and you are me

 

said the sad-eyed man as if alive.
I’ll write you in where I should be
between the gillyflowers and the purple bells

 

and the apple and the hill
and we’ll puff cigars from noon till night
as if we were alive.

Words That Burn