Errata

Where it says snow
read teeth-marks of a virgin
Where it says knife read
you passed through my bones
like a police-whistle
Where it says table read horse
Where it says horse read my migrant's bundle
Apples are to remain apples
Each time a hat appears
think of Isaac Newton
reading the Old Testament
Remove all periods
They are scars made by words
I couldn't bring myself to say
Put a finger over each sunrise
it will blind you otherwise
That damn ant is still stirring
Will there be time left to list
all errors to replace
all hands guns owls plates
all cigars ponds woods and reach
that beer-bottle my greatest mistake
the word I allowed to be written
when I should have shouted
her name

- Charles Simic (1985)

In the Street

He was kneeling down to tie his shoes which
she mistook for a proposal of marriage.
—Arise, arise, sweet man, she said with tears
glistening in her eyes while people hurried
past as if stung by bees.
—We shall spend the day riding in a balloon,
she announced happily.
—My ears will pop, he objected.
—We’ll throw our clothes overboard as we rise higher and higher.
—I’ll smoke a cigar that may sputter fireworks.
—Don't worry my love, she hugged him.
Even where the clouds are darkest, I have a
secret getaway.

Charles Simic (1999)

December 21

All I've ever done --
It seems -- is go poking
In the ruins with a stick
Until I was covered
With soot and ashes
I couldn't wash off,
Even if I wanted to.

Charles Simic, from "December 21"

The Gamblers Upstairs

The faint rattle of dice rolling
Late at night
No one else hears—
They are wagering over me, placing bets,

The high rollers and their sidekicks
On their knees.
Little Joe from Baltimore,
Ada from Decatur.

The noise of bones,
The hush after each roll
Keeping me awake—
God’s throw or devil's?

My love holding her hands over my eyes
As we inch toward the stairs
Stripped down to our underwear
And liable to slip and break our necks.

Charles Simic (2005)