If there is a coat sloughed on a chair

it will think about all sorts of things

and trail its hem in cigarette ash and dirt.

 

If there is a bowl of sugar...

it will giggle about its own nothings.

 

Days in the third month, something and nothing.

 

If there is an ashtray and a glass of water

then the air will knock over the glass

and shove the ashtray.

 

The air will lift and swirl the ash

and flutter the serviettes.

 

A particular body passes by

just above the pages of a book,

and creates special problems

 

for clever idiots. How many words

on that theme? In early spring

the fool heard his own bells.