Читать книгу This Place of Prose and Poetry - Lucian Krukowski - Страница 15

Birthday Boy was born in the same old way—

at the break of day as they wrote it down.

But it was a different place and another day—

quite far away in an Eastern town.

It was some time ago—a time that’s past.

But time doesn’t pass away—not the way

he will, when his late time comes

in some other town at another day.

He sits here now—this very moment,

lounging in the early evening,

much opinionated and less than neat,

with reading glasses and an a/fib beat.

But he’s a Hearty Harry notwithstanding.

Come by most any day you feel the need

to use him or peruse him.

He’ll love it both or either way.

But choose your coming from among

the moments within the many times of life

that form the functions of our varied minds.

Choose the ones that happen

more than once—or in multiples of twice.

Remember also that the family thought

your visit was very nice—for him—not you.

They do remember that you once said —

you would prefer him dead.