Without Mice Or Men

Suddenly the royal mantle of life slips away It is evening, I gathering close the cosy cloak of daily ennui step out into the drizzle One grey raindrop for one stilled life The billions who came and went Since Adam and his wife Silent swallows fill the sky of Sidon Somewhere there By the stone jug fallen among motley earthenware On a cobbled lane far, not quite far from the temple, soldiers, winepress, thonged sandals, scrolls, philistine perfumes And the relentless drip of a stone faucet There, here and everywhere The measured step, the laboured step The famous step to hear To kiss Every single raindrop falling Out of ken With the tired sweep of the hem of His dress Without priest or prelate Mice or men