HERMETIC SONG, IV
-for Robert Duncan

There were nine grand pianos in my father’s house
one a water object in my head
and one a ship of glass

one an eye on the end of a branch
and one a paint-pot spilling red
There were live fandangos in the father’s house

so that sleepers might sleep within the dance
and set their images to rest
Please tell me if you can

Did it snow pure snow in some father’s house
and did the children chant Whether me this
then Whether me that

There was a winding stair in this father’s house
climbing or falling no one would say
There were notebooks and nightbooks

and voices enclosed by a ring of bone
They were crying Wait Don’t Wait
There were travelers standing at the gate

-Michael Palmer

Berklee’s poetry Walk was laid in October 2003 along Edison Street between Shattuck and Milvia Streets. The route includes 128 metal plates with excerpts from songs, each of which is related in one way or another to the city of Berkeley.

The current sign features a poem written by the American poet Michael Palmer (1942), who lives in San Francisco
The song is dedicated to the American poet Robert Duncan (1919-1988) who created mainly around San Francisco, and his song appears on this track Click for sign's details