Mercury dimes in fools’ silver
to weigh my ghosts down [so
I’ll not rise – & other dangers]
Lost Phrygian caps doffed [no
sex – kicked-in manhoods] I’m
manumitted by Liberty’s kiss
Marianne spoke about such –
& then Paris turned on itself &
saw disgust – at failed royalty –
whilst on my eyelids lay twins
in metal shrines bearing dead
models – a poet’s wife? – Elsie
posed for Weinman – turning/
Liberty won’t release me from
my resting place – no last toss
of shiny coins to decide on my
fate beyond all – la petite mort
& other foolish points of death
settle among equal cold casts
of her coins & my cadaver/ I’ll
remain dead [& blind forever]
