Madame Butterfly
for Dan

That nuisance of symmetry
always lingering in the back
of your head, that emaciated
shadow of civilised balance
having your thin white back!

watch Zhuangzi's protagonist
flapping around in the garden-
do you really think he figured
out his next lubricated step on
the branches of the universe?

no pasaran, they once painted
on a looted Spanish farm house,
no pasaran it will be regarding
the children's dream of mirroring
flawlessly their imaginary friend!

Dirk Galle