Aram Saroyan

 

Aram Saroyan, Poems (1972). Cover photograph by Gailyn Saroyan.

"Would you mind 
If I headed up early?" 
Says the husband 
To his young wife. 
"Follow when you like." 

Later that evening 
The beautiful face 
And exquisite limbs 
Will rise from the table 
Of the Southern inn 
Having been spied 
By the antihero 
Across the room 
Reading an indifferent book. 

Oh, quick —  
Let a storm kill the light! 

But you might as well say it 
To a wall. 
We can't change 
A single 
Silver setting, or 
Even by one day 
Reduce 
The bright full moon. 

The clock in literature 
Holds that moon. 

"I know I can't say 
A single thing to stop you," 
Says the old man at table 
To the suddenly risen girl. 
"But sleep on it, will you?" 
Not now —  
Not ever. 

The clock in literature 
Holds the ancient rune. 

"I wonder if I might 
Have a word with you," 
Says the antihero 
To the lissome 
Dark-eyed angel.