1.

    Looking into the eyes of Gerard de Nerval

    You notice the giant sea crabs¹ rising.

    Which is what happens

    When you look into the eyes of Gerard de Nerval，

    Always the same thing： the giant sea crabs，

    The claws in their vague red holsters

    Moving around， a little doubtfully.

    2.

    But looking into the eyes of Pierre Reverdy

    Is like throwing the editorial page

    Out into the rain

    And then riding alone on the subway.

    Also， it is like avoiding your father.

    You are hiding and he looks for you

    Under each vine； he is coming nearer

    And nearer. What can you do

    But ignore him？

    3.

    In either case， soon you are riding alone on a subway.

    Which is not important.

    What is important is to avoid

    Looking too closely into the eyes of your father，

    That formal eclipse.