SUPPOSE

suppose
Life is an old man carrying flowers on his head.
young death sits in a café
smiling, a piece of money held between
his thumb and first finger

(i say "will he buy flowers" to you
and "Death is young
life wears velour trousers
life totters, life has a beard!" i

say to you who are silent.- "Do you see
life? he is there and here,
or that, or this
or nothing or an old man 3 thirds
asleep, on his head

flowers, always crying
to nobody something about les
roses les bleuets
yes,
will He buy?
les belles bottes -oh hear
, pas chères")

and my love slowly answered I think so
But
I think I see someone else

there is a lady, whose name is Afterwards
she is sitting beside young death; is slender;
likes flowers.

(e.e. cummings)