Separate Truths
"By Charles Simic"
Night
fell without asking
For our permission.
Mary had a headache,
And my eyes hurt
From squinting at the newspapers.
We could still make out
A few old trees in the yard.
They take it as it comes.
Separate truths
Do not interest them.
We'll have to run for it, I said,
And had no idea what I meant.
The coming of the inevitable,
What a strange bliss that is--
And I had no idea what she meant.
Quiet Days
"Inspired by Separate Truths"
The wind stopped howling
Suddenly without notice.
I didn’t know what happened,
And my eyes hurt very much
From looking into the vast distance
All I could make out
Were a few falling leaves
Waiting for their time to land
Quiet days
Did not ever interest them
I will have to leave this place, I said,
And they stared at me with blank eyes
And it seemed that they didn’t understand
What a strange coincidence
And I had no
idea what they meant either.
"By Charles Simic"
That mutt
with ribs showing
We left standing near a garbage truck
With a most hopeful look,
His tail on the verge of happiness
As the train picked up speed
The outcome left open
With the dusk falling rapidly
Making the dusty windows reflect
Our five traveling companions
Sitting with hat-shrouded eyes,
The absent-minded smiles
Already firmly set on each face.
"Inspired by Leaving An Unknown City"
The house we left with broken windows
That we left on 3rd Street
With the hopeful look,
It would once again be inhabited
As our car pulls out of the driveway
Reeking with the smell of gas
And we leave for the out open
With the car almost dark
Making everyone sleepy
My 5 family members
Sitting all cramped up
With grim looks on their faces
Looking for what comes ahead.
Partial Explanation
"By Charles Simic"
Seems like a long time
Since the waiter took my order.
Grimy little luncheonette,
The snow falling outside.
Seems like it has grown darker
Since I last heard the kitchen door
Behind my back
Since I last noticed
Anyone pass on the street.
A glass of ice-water
Keeps me company
At this table I chose myself
Upon entering.
And a longing,
Incredible longing
To eavesdrop
On the conversation
Of cooks.
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Waiting for Food
"Inspired By Partial Explanation"
He took my order a while ago In this small restaurant
Near the outskirts of town With it raining outside
And the light beginning to fade Since anyone came into the restaurant
Or even passed it Without a glance at me Cars have driven by
A menu on the table Keeps me company At the only table in the restaurant Without any other company
I feel a urge to overhear The conversation of the cook And so I do.
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