A Sad Harp, by
Katy LedererMy little instrument, my denouement,
Pass me through to this fine place of whimsy.
I am dreaming in my head of heart, my heart then of my head.
I am dreaming in my head of books,
Of books now bent, their words destroyed.
Are we thinking of this form as harm, we derelict, we deadly?
In the basement the doctor is just getting in.
I am going downstairs to receive my first treatment.
Replacement of the brain by heart, the heart, then, by the brain.
What medical audacity.
This doctor man, this doctor man.
His hands are now playing this sad little harp.
His hands are now playing this harp.
--
Lederer, who also operates
Spectacular Books, uses my favorite spelling of 'Katy.' A girl I know named Katy, same spelling, just had a baby. They named him 'Ivan.' I had a great-uncle named Ivan, but he went by 'John' for most of his life. Red scare, I guess.