PIERRE REVERDY'S DAYS
(1889-1960)

A glittering shiver of branches
on a wide wellspring garden
by the greensward river vines
as Reverdy's days hide to wade
in his nocturnal dreams
missing the winter running deep
as the fine dawn snow flakes
fall over the Seine's shore
makes him feels almost bewitched
by the rippled breaker wind
he pardons his frozen scarf
over his lips scattered breath
he returns from the countryside
among the city's stepping stones
wrapping him in Monet faces
in the pastel mirrors pool
constantly wishes he may atone
as a first of April fool
in the ways he has past behaved
fishing for coins in the wellspring,
acting an an adolescent
as the wind untangles
the lost strokes amid showers
of a Paris boatman
who faces a loss
as two black birds fly
over the Tuileries
from the height of trees
in a blue sky cross over return
in the vibrations of the swing
at an endless breeze
in an embrace
of a yellow gentian
along quick eyed eddies
on his metamorphosed delight
as flowers grow under a full sky
on a pure poet's insight
who pauses his reflection
to paraphrase his lines
watching a sure sail's direction
in a belief of reflection
of Reverdy's newly written words
on a pale linen handkerchief
by the garden of asphodels
watchful of the seasonal birds.