works by william pham, 2005-present

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These words they are so much

It is best to walk in libraries as a young child,
because then the stacks of bookshelves tower high and proud
like philosopher-kings.  Steal
the words spread out across yellowed pages with greedy hands and
be Prometheus a thousand times and steal the words,
lift the heavy bindings to your lips and drink the words,
rip the words, tear the words, be the wolf and
eat the words like flank of deer in winter-time.
But these words, they are so much, they are so much;
we will never know all the words and books wherein
the uncountable infinities of memory make their homes.

These words they are so much I suppose it is all right
to only know a few:
"Excuse me, do you have the time" or
"Will you marry me?"

copyright (c) 2007 by william pham