Wislawa Szymborska
ABC
I’ll never find out now
What A. thought of me.
If B. ever forgave me in the end.
Why C. pretended everything was fine.
What part D. played in E.’s silence.
What F. had been expecting, if anything.
Why G. forgot when she knew perfectly well.
What H. had to hide.
What I. wanted to add.
If my being around
meant anything
for J. and K. and the rest of the alphabet.
I read Szm’s poem and immediately think of the Buddhist lojong line,
“Don’t ponder others.” A lot of mental energy can be wasted in reveries,
second-guessing, yearning, listing affronts, etc. How much I waste time…
which reminds of of this poem by Charles Reznikoff—
My grandmother in her old age
Sold barley and groats at a stall
In the market place. She did not measure her cereal
More carefully
Than I must minutes.
Happy Wednesday, Angelina!
