Letter 18 – The Last Quivering Violin

 

Go off when you hear the bell

out to that part of Slaughter     where not

one train horn can penetrate.   The

day begins there  -  where well-watered roses

come

back to life & mesmerize humans & bees alike

w/

a presence   an aura    a musk for which a celibate may settle.   In a

basket headed straight to hell we were all beautiful once.

Full of vigor    a morning salute     not made

of wrinkles & despair    a

knowledge unspoiled by the agony of lost love or truth.

 

Go off when you hear the bell

on the morning part of tomorrow &

have @ it.   Ward off demons   jackals   non-believers   jackasses

a wink is better than a confiscated nod    a furtive

look better than an activated Satan.

@ the source of things there is

the bright glow   as human as neon gets    the

sun’s spots form a

face to ruin all men.

@ the source of things  -  so desperately behind you

the

moon’s advances   made possible by the last quivering violin.

 

 

3:26AM - 8.18.03

(Phrase taken from Ca Dao Vietnam –

edited by John Balaban.)