LITTLE LITANY
after
De Chirico
- Peter Robinson (U.K.)
Another enigma of departure
when searching for the known
you hear a peacock’s cry.
Another enigma of departure:
long shadows in piazza
stretch porticos and chimney.
Another enigma of departure
has peahens, white and brown,
a white one’s quick black eye.
Another enigma of departure
shows stains in coffee glasses,
pink roses’ garden urns.
Another enigma of departure
now those ornamental birds
patrolling grounds can hardly fly.
Another enigma of departure
is authenticated on the back
with the artist’s signature.
Another enigma of departure
brings all the things to which
we’ll have to say goodbye.