JOHNMICHAEL SIMON POETRY

Tucked inside some found pages

in this Bulgarian guest house

I discover alongside poems telling

of Boris Godunov, of Czarina,

of Zara Lehander singing

Una Polana Blanca

 

Earmarked memories, once yours,

hidden in the fold of page 22

a stained business card

bookmarking as from a long sleep…

 

‘Mikhael the tailor

makes all kinds of alterations

ladies and gents’

 

I see you there, doorbell tinkling

as you enter the little shop

where he for famous and poor alike

lengthens here, replaces a frayed hem

sews on large buttons in

‘the modern style’

 

I see you there, girl child

of Sofia, now great grandmother

(or not?) collecting your dress

on a wintry day

 

Book of poems in your pocket,

lake covered in ice,

coachmen smearing wheels with tar