If There Is Something to Desire, 9, 17, 18 by Vera Pavlova

Vera Pavlova

If There Is Something to Desire, 9, 17, 18 by Vera Pavlova

T.

Another old poem to accompany me tonight.

If There Is Something to Desire, 9, 17, 18

Vera Pavlova

I broke your heart.

Now barefoot I tread

on shards.

Why is the word yes so brief?

It should be

the longest,

the hardest,

so that you could not decide in an instant to say it,

so that upon reflection you could stop

in the middle of saying it.

—Sing me The Song of Songs.

—Don’t know the words.

—Then sing the notes.

—Don’t know the notes.

—Then simply hum.

—Forgot the tune.

—Then press my ear

to your ear

and sing what you hear.

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