PIERROT by DIMOND CRISP

And Pierrot said—

Make me clouds of amber and mists of amethyst,
And build me a house of marble
White ... and cold.
And on the roof lay a maiden,
And let a sword
Of burnished steel
Slash at her heart, letting out
Her bright young blood
Till my house has a roof of crimson
Which shall never fade.

And Pierrot said—

In my house put books
Bound with the skins of old men,
The old brown skins of wisdom;
And let the contents be written
With tears of experience,
So that I, reading them, Shall be filled with a wisdom
Wonderful in my youth.

And Pierrot said—

Let my couch be padded
With the tresses of women,
That, resting on them, I may know the passion,
In one moment, of many women.
And let their scalps be perfumed
And laid away in a crystal jar
For my amused gaze.

And the gods said—

Let him have these things
And many more,
That he may quickly learn
The futility of all things....

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