may

the fields were full of two legged athenians decapitating flowers

they were told that this is the day to do that

others gathered in the city to shout out their frustration

most were boiling closed up in their cars with demanding bored children

dreaming the nightmare of the coming summer

a perfect day for hammering poor flowers onto cloth

in the morning I boiled it with bark

when it dried I dipped in watery milk, dried, dipped etc 4 times

it was windy and sunny

in the evening I went gathering in the garden

and spent part of the night hammering, joyfully

lesson of the day: when soaking cloth in milky water keep any dogs occupied. they are attracted by the milk and wiil tip the bowl over to lap up the milk the moment you turn your back

and a may poem

e e cummings

19

may my heart always be open to little

birds who are the secrets of living

whatever they sing is better than to know

and if men should not hear them men are old

may my mind stroll about hungry

and fearless and hungry and supple

and even if it's sunday may i be wrong

for whenever men are right they are not young

and may myself do nothing usefully

and love yourself so more than truly

there's never been quite such a fool who could fail

pulling the sky over him with one smile

in the pictures: roses, poppies, geranium petals, leaves (various)