THE PETRARCH PROJECT


DAVID BROMIGE & RICHARD DENNER



     

CANTO 61




Mileva in the spring
   nominated for the role.

The mind is torn, the page is ripped
   and needs a drink.  The heart
	important organ 
beats all.

Action. Now in autumn
   the leaves give way to the sky.
	"I loved, therefore love
even today."

Item
	for when I merely gaze, 
oblivion rains into my cistern
   to sweep away, sweep away the dregs of Lethe.

H o w
c o u l d
y o u , c l o u d ?
In an instant all that Art, Wit, Nature
	Heaven
can do, is done. I look into the eyes
   of my darling, as I have done
		when she was some other
	darling		most darling
my most darling darling. Oblivion

   is it a moral virtue?
When what I hear strikes so that I write
		words I can forever
maybe
	take out to sigh about.

Do we think I may be taken out

You had to be there
		Silence in court!

Guard your love, pilgrim
   then throw it in the Arno
and boast you're human
   once you're reft & alone.


Enter a chorus of children
   To sing the Plea for Help.
The Audience applauds
   And this is Pity,
Citizens, 
	The Last Ethic
Time enjoyed
   As we forgot so many
We could not live without
   	forgotten.