I HAVE EXPLORED THE UNDERWORLD

I have explored the underworld
and like it
but wouldn’t want to stay there
for longer than it takes to look
or touch
or taste
or take away
some piece of it to remember

It’s enough to have explored caves
but unnecessary to live in them

Did these street people go out one day
with little or no purpose except
looking
from their safe homes
which phrase can be itself
a contradiction
ask any of those with scared eyes
if clear diction is important in cases like these
saying as little as possible
can you spare some change
and forgot to drop solid pebbles
using warm bread crumbs instead
those pigeons will do it every time
leaving nothing but shit
for of course somebody else to clean up
and did they think memory alone would work
for them or any of us
it goes finally sooner for some
my Mother is a good example
which is exactly what I mean to say
with a special emphasis on good
people who forget where they are
and only lightly remember truly
they’ve ever been part of a family

somebody should pass around a description of Cerberus
so the damned dog that’s guarding the gate
can be seen for what he is
don’t be fooled by the wagging tail
and the come-hither look.