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“The Death Issue” December 2015 1

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Departing Rome<br />

Andrew Wells<br />

for Pascale, a friend I happened to see at the Pantheon, Rome,<br />

when we were both about to leave for England.-<br />

Pascale, will you go down to the fountain<br />

once again, before you leave for London<br />

tonight; will you back to the Pantheon,<br />

where, as evening falls, the violins<br />

play sadly for their final time this Autumn?<br />

I recognise the tune when a woman sings<br />

goodbye, and a slow instrument begins<br />

to move. And the whole crowd carries its hum.<br />

This is now the second coffee I’ve drained;<br />

I’m also returning home very soon,<br />

though nothing’s really waiting for me there<br />

at all. Safe journey, then, forget this square<br />

until you might come back. Anything gained<br />

is lost on landing; English rain hides the moon.<br />

38

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