The Un-Geisha
Physis kruptesthai philei...
The geisha mocks with smile
and fans with dancing eyes.
She has sung in the language of birds.
She has fingered the samisen
And lingered over the words of an almost found chord.
She has whisked the foaming green tea.
Now to hide abed bored and boring and be ridden
By blind need....
Cheese Toys R Us
She: “Why are you running away?”
He: “Why are you chasing me?”
She: “Because I want to ask you a question.”
He: “You just did.”
She: “Did what?”
He: “You just did ask a question.”
She: “I did?”
He: “You did.”
She:”No, I didn’t. I just answered your question.”
He: “Yes, but before that you asked me why I was running away.”
She: “Well, why were you running away?”
He: “Why were you chasing me?”
She: “I already said—I wanted to ask you a question.”
He: “What’s the question you wanted to ask?”
She: “Do you think my toes are ugly?”
He: “Your toes?”
She: “Yes, my toes. But why are you running away again?”
[copyright, E.A.C Aphorismata]
Where were you lost
Before you were born?
How did you find yourself?
In what woods, following
what breadcrumbs?
What frog woke you up
with a kiss?
In what mirror did charming toad
share your secret vices?
When did you wake up
and say it is only I who suffer?
It is only I who am at a loss?
It is only I who can remember
Every which way to Erehwon?
A: So tell me, my friend, do you support the war?
B: Indeed, most enthusiastically. As long as no one gets killed or injured.
A: But that is absurd, friend. How can there be war with no one being killed or injured?
B: You mean to say there has never been a war in which no one was killed or injured?
A: Not that I know of. Which war would that be?
B: The only kind of war I support.
A: Once more--that’s absurd.
B: But war itself is absurd, isn't it?
A: You mean there are no just wars?
B: Naturally. A just war is a war in which no one is killed or injured.
A: I am not following you. Why would you be pro-war if you want no one killed or injured?
B: Because war is absurd, and folks need a degree of absurdity in their lives. It's healthy. Keeps the blood running. It adds excitement, and a sense of the unknown. They say generals die in bed. So I say make everyone a general. Then everyone gets a shot at medals and glory, all the acclaim and admiration, just so long as no one is killed or maimed.
A: And everyone dies in bed?
B: Sure. Why not?
