Paterson, Book II, Chapter 1, p. 55-56

Capital of Call and Response

Let me

say again:

the present

is never present.

Yes, I know:

a pun.

The implication, of

course, is our gifts

are behind us:

signifying old feelings

through old money

and at times

celebrating the

ongoing nature

of things.

But of course,

none of us can wait

to open them.

How could we?

Another call

and response.

A confirmation

of existence

a moment ago

and a moment

ago;

a string of pearls

run backwards

to ourselves.

Words!

Sing!

Song!

Thing!

But this sermon

is tired;

 and I am

spent.

More sense,

borrowed from sense;

more pretense

borrowed from tense.

So much giving back,

so much taking—

and then

taking—

but always, like
sound, like
light, in
waves...

My words, and

your words;
my words, and
your words
are currency.

KMC 10/18/13