Friday, April 15, 2011

A Reversible Poem

Years ago, I wrote a poem that could be read either forward or backward, one line at a time. Forward, it goes:

I'd like that:
to walk with you
through the grass,
falling twilight--
unlike
a play,
the scene begins
when
slowly, the curtain

falls

the cherry blossom:
marks
the first action.
A drama,
not meant for
to end the day.
In my garden,
a walk with you...

I'd like that.

And backwards:

I'd like that:
a walk with you,
in my garden,
to end the day.
Not meant for
a drama,
the first action
marks
the cherry blossom

falls

slowly, the curtain,
when
the scene begins
a play,
unlike
falling twilight.
Through the grass,
to walk with you:

I'd like that.