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This poem is taken from PN Review 30, Volume 9 Number 4, March - April 1983.

Two Poems Elizabeth Smither

Is this not everything we know
Of everything: breakages cost
But are not altogether fatal.

If we stand for a long time
We will be worn down
But our heads will have taken a lot of sea.

For what obscure purpose but
The sea points in, the rock
Is the residue of pointing out.
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