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.