Cortège

Do not imagine you can abdicate Auden Prologue If the sea could dream, and if the sea were dreaming now, the dream would be the usual one: Of the Flesh. The letter written in the dream would go something like:Forgive me—love, Blue. * I. The Viewing (A Chorus) O what, then, did he look like? He had a good body. And how came you to know this? His body was naked. Say the sound of his body. His body was quiet. Say again—quiet? He was sleeping. You are sure of this? Sleeping? Inside it, yes. Inside it. * II. Pavilion Sometimes, a breeze: a canvas flap will rise and, inside, someone stirs;a bird? a flower? One is thinking Should there be thirst, I have only to reach for the swollen bag of skin beside me, I have only to touch my mouth that is meant for a flower to it, and drink.