I'd divide myself
In small change, in coins
For you to come and take turns
To pick it up.

For this is how
I've lived and known life,
I've only seen myself in small change,
Never in any other form.

By now I find myself so attached
To these small coins, parts of myself,
I wouldn't like to see myself apart from them.
In each coin, I see myself mirrored in miniature.

I'd divide myself
In small change in coins
For you to come and take turns
To pick it up.

The dreams of the poor,
They're like these coins too, small change,
Especially the dreams of those
Who survive by compromise with reality.

I've no heap of small change, either, only a small coin,
You could pick it up, pocket it.
But as one never to be found by anyone,
You could throw it away too.

7:46 PM 20 June 2000
Putli Sadak