William Michaelian

Poems, Notes, and Drawings

Archive for July 2023

True Blue

We threw our words overboard, only to find that they’d become anchors, and that our ship wouldn’t move; then they became fish: we cast a great net: around it they swam, and through; they leap’d to the heavens, were shimmering stars in the blue; then one by one they fell; they’re falling still; and each that lands is true. . [ 1801 ]

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Old by Then

Each time they met, they bowed to one another and uttered not a word. They were old by then. When one of them died, they went on bowing just the same. And somehow when the other died, their bowing remained. Cane in hand, I thought, I’ve known men who were just like trees. . [ 1794 ]

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Purpose and Play

A little purpose, a little play; the purpose is play, the play, purpose; until, finally, play is all there is; except it’s not final, until purpose has its say, which, of course, is not its way unless it’s in the mood; nonsense, true; without glue, without you, there would be no purpose anyway, even if I play so myself — which I do, I do, I do. . [ 1792 […]

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