The Profit and Loss

The telling of stories

now is out of fashion,

more’s the pity.

How tempting, how easy

it would be (I say in

my coward heart) to be

a prophet of the light,

herald to the sun!

Peace to the people, one could

say—even if there is no

peace. (Is there some

tincture in this tired air?

I did not mean to speak the truth.)

Peace to the people,

even peace!, and not

a voice among voices,

an uncut stone,

and blood from the mouth

and the taste

of blood

in the teeth

To California then I came,

drowning, drying—

the land of fruits and

nuts, they say with a

smirk (the despite of

ignorance being, with me

as with others, the besetting

sin). To California then I

came and sought purchase

in the sand.

I have suffered some

unlooked for revolt

of self from self, a

victory of kidney

over brain. (Some

things are too slight

for speaking, even in

the splendid silence

the pen is heir to.)

Miserere: miserere mei,

miserere nobis. (Most

merciful Father.)

Herr,

Segne dieses Haus

Und alle, die da gehen

Ein und aus.

His the kingdom (Amen),

His the power (Amen),

His the glory (Amen),

Forever and ever.

Amen, amen, and amen.

SDG

AMDG