1031. Block - Linda Pastan

.

I place one word slowly

in front of the other.,

like learning to walk again

after an illness.

But the blank page

with its hospital corners

tempts me.

I want to lie down

in its whiteness

and let myself drift

all the way back

to silence.

1030. EXERCISE - W. S. Merwin

.

First forget what time it is

for an hour

do it regularly every day

then forget what day of the week it is

do this regularly for a week

then forget what country you are in

and practice doing it in company

for a week

then do them together

for a week

with a few breaks as possible

follow these by forgetting how to add

or to subtract

it makes no difference 

you can change them around

after a week

both will help you later

to forget how to count

forget how to count

starting with your own age

starting with how to count backward

starting with even numbers

starting with Roman numerals

starting with fractions of Roman numerals

starting with the old calendar

going on to the old alphabet

going on to the alphabet

until everything is continuous again

go on to forgetting elements

starting with water

proceeding to earth

rising in fire  

forget fire