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This poem is taken from PN Review 206, Volume 38 Number 6, July - August 2012.

Four Poems Sophie Hannah
Secondary Gain

If I have lost the sun, then I will need to keep the moon.
It's in the sky for now, but I'll collect it some time soon.
The universe has set to work without consulting me.
I will not let what can't be changed become my enemy -

That's because I'm a person who's determined to succeed.
I'll never say in public that I strongly disagreed,
Or that I fear the universe is a deranged buffoon,
And in return the universe will hand me down the moon.

I've given this some thought: the moon may still stay up all night.
It may continue to be round, high above ground, and white.
It must not be more like the sun than like a friend of mine.
It must decide that everything about me suits it fine.

When people try to tell me it's a crazy thing I've done,
I plan to turn on them and scream, 'All right, then - where's the sun?'
I'm proud to be the fool who seeks to make the moon dream flat.
Also, I'm not the biggest fool. The universe is that.
...


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