THE ADVOCATE Poem by Gerrit Komrij

‘There is a dance-floor where the figures gather,'
Says Nathan. ‘Let me be your counsel there.'
He sketches in the feast of words, dreams, shadows
And sins - on the reverse side of this square.

That every month wild partying's arranged.
A dance of wishes and of recollections
Where even the bronze sage will act deranged
And from the casts fly chips - or even sections.

‘They're lavish there.' A document appears.
‘They play in earnest - earnestness is play.'
He laughs. ‘I'll take you. Pleased to sign this here.'
My playful flourish - he's a winning way.