i)
I suppose one's
accomplishments
license this pleasure;
but surely one must think
of other people's
accomplishments
and pleasure
ii)
a human being
is but a vessel
and the empty one
allows plenty of vibrations
iii)
one must have a conviction,
to talk like that,
that one is interesting
(in spite of the evidence
the pretence of the polite and the meek
right before one's face)
and one can be interesting
continuously
iv)
it comes from an arrogance
that one's battles are immortal
and in one's battle -
in spite of the protestations
and qualifications -
one must always have been right and wise
Afterthought
But how do you explain
a torrent of words
that sweeps other people along
and drowns them and their words?
(from The Migrant - notes of a newcomer (February 1997- July 1998))
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