i.m. Hannes Hollo, 1959-1999

Fought the hungry ghosts here on Earth
"What is man?" asked the King 
Alcuin’s reply: "A guest of space."   And time yes time:
The past lies before us, the future comes up from behind
Walking on Primrose Hill or Isle of Wight beaches
Iowa City streets scrambling up snow-covered deer track
To Doc Holliday’s grave in Glenwood Springs
His helmet now shall make a hive for bees
He fought the hungry ghosts here on Earth
Strong & resourceful on his best days, 
Patient kind and presente
Returning those with him to here & now
But just as we settle in with our Pepsi and popcorn
THE END rolls up   too soon   always too soon



"'What is man?' asked the King": Pippin, son of Charlemagne, 9th century C.E. "His helmet
now . . . ": George Peele, Polyhymnia.

 

Credit

From Guests of Space by Anselm Hollo. Copyright © 2007 by Anselm Hollo. Published by Coffee House Press. Used by permission of the publisher.