September Song

Portrait of Geoffrey Hill
Geoffrey Hill 1932–2016

born 19.6.32 - deported 24.9.42

Undesirable you may have been, untouchable you were not. Not forgotten or passed over at the proper time.

As estimated, you died. Things marched, sufficient, to that end. Just so much Zyklon and leather, patented terror, so many routine cries.

(I have made an elegy for myself it is true)

September fattens on vines. Roses flake from the wall. The smoke of harmless fires drifts to my eyes.

This is plenty. This is more than enough.

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