CONFESSION OF FAITH

On leaving the bar I heard

a painter say that astronauts

often grew up without a father.

I repeat: on leaving the bar

I heard a painter say that astronauts

often grew up without a father.

The same with prophets, I thought.

Mohammed, among others, grew up

without a father. On the way

home, it was nighttime, taking

the shortcut through the park, I heard

a squirrel say your death will be

the first real thing to happen to you.

I repeat: your death will be the first

real thing to happen to you. If that is true,

I thought, then squirrels sometimes speak

the truth. I repeat: then squirrels

sometimes speak the truth.