Jack Hirschman reads from the Italian edition of his book “The Arcanes.” —photo by Marco Cinque
The poet from Hell’s Kitchen
Writing in Cyrillic on napkins
Provided by Specs
And asking in the messaging
To those sitting at the round table
Left, in back of the venue
Asking softly:
exactly just what are you
trying to say?
Has now joined my mythical hero, Yoda
To push forward the other part of
The mission statement of our time and
Which so far we’re able to carry on:
don’t try, do!
And now, once more like so many
Who have previously left us
We’re on our own but collectively
In our brigades, parties, armies [in
some places] being called upon to
Earn our keep, get clear on what
We’re trying to say… and constantly
Remembering that trying is never enough.