as he pored over the ancient
maps of the land of purple
mr nothing remembered
his home at the crossroads
and a whirlwind’s laughter
at those thrown into the dark
then it was a quiet night after
he recited the curse of ham
and he had no recollection
of who put a shabby book
on the bedside table instead
of the middle eastern news
over breakfast he wondered
what the difference could be
between matzah and taboon
if both could feed the hungry
or become mouldy when left
forgotten in the haversack
hidden pilcrow 