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This poem is taken from PN Review 161, Volume 31 Number 3, January - February 2005.

Six Poems Bill Manhire

Song: Alzon

Alzon hides behind itself.
It talks in Occitan.
The stars above Alzon.
The water beside Alzon.

There is one song,
then always another song.
The pines of the night.
The words of this poem.

He loves her but... the way
lies through that tunnel
and across the difficult bridge
by which one enters Le Vigan.

So many people!
Everything is wrong
.

The hidden paths.
...


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