(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.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem