Song of the Round Man
(for Sarah when she’s older)
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.
