by Charles Simic

    St. John of the Cross wore dark glasses

    As he passed me on the street.

    St. Theresa of Avila， beautiful and grave，

    Turned her back on me.

    "Soulmate，" they hissed¹. "It's high time."

    I was a blind child， a wind-up toy . . .

    I was one of death's juggling² red balls

    On a certain street corner

    Where they peddle³ things out of suitcases.

    The city like a huge cinema

    With lights dimmed.

    The performance already started.

    So many blurred⁴ faces in a complicated plot.

    The great secret which kept eluding⁵ me： knowing who I am . . .

    The Redeemer and the Virgin⁶，

    Their eyes wide open in the empty church

    Where the killer⁷ came to hide himself . . .

    The new snow on the sidewalk bore footprints

    That could have been made by bare feet.

    Some unknown penitent⁸ guiding me.

    In truth， I didn't know where I was going.

    My feet were frozen，

    My stomach growled⁹.

    Four young hoods¹⁰ blocking my way.

    Three deadpan¹¹， one smiling crazily.

    I let them have my black raincoat.

    Thinking constantly of the Divine Love

    and the Absolute had disfigured me.

    People mistook me for someone else.

    I heard voices after me calling out unknown names.

    "I'm searching for someone to sell my soul to，"

    The drunk who followed me whispered，

    While appraising¹² me from head to foot.

    At the address I had been given.

    The building had large X's over its windows.

    I knocked but no one came to open.

    By and by a black girl joined me on the steps.

    She banged at the door till her fist hurt.

    Her name was Alma， a propitious¹³ sign.

    She knew someone who solved life's riddles¹⁴

    In a voice of an ancient Sumerian queen.

    We had a long talk about that

    While shivering and stamping our wet feet.

    It was necessary to stay calm， I explained，

    Even with the earth trembling，

    And to continue to watch oneself

    As if one were a complete stranger.

    Once in Chicago， for instance，

    I caught sight of a man in a shaving mirror

    Who had my naked shoulders and face，

    But whose eyes terrified me！

    Two hard staring， all-knowing eyes！

    After we parted， the night， the cold， and the endless walking

    Brought on a kind of ecstasy¹⁵.

    I went as if pursued， trying to warm myself.

    There was the East River； there was the Hudson.

    Their waters shone like oil in sanctuary¹⁶ lamps.

    Something supreme¹⁷ was occurring

    For which there will never be any words.

    The sky was full of racing¹⁸ clouds and tall buildings，

    Whirling and whirling silently.

    In that whole city you could hear a pin drop.

    Believe me.

    I thought I heard a pin drop and I went looking for it.

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