suppose

suppose Life is an old man carrying flowers on his head.

young death sits in a cafe smiling, a piece of money held between his thumb and first finger

(i say “will he buy flowers” to you and “Death is young life wears velour trousers life totters, life has a beard” i

say to you who are silent. - “Do you see Life? he is there and here, or that, or this or nothing or an old man 3 thirds asleep, on his head flowers, always crying to nobody something about les roses les bluets yes, will He buy? Les belles bottes - oh hear , pas cheres”)

and my love slowly answered I think so. But I think I see someone else

there is a lady, whose name is Afterwards she is sitting beside young death, is slender; likes flowers.

-e e cummings