Now you must make the prayer of the poor: "Thank you."
--Black Orpheus, probably misremembered, so if you know the actual line please tell me

You are throwing gold after me
I am drowning:
perhaps a fish can be
bribed
--Celan

YOU LOSE YOUR GRIP/AND THEN YOU SLIP/INTO THE MASTERPIECE. Conservative aesthetics; and why you should be grateful to be one of the gouged-out sculptures of God.

I guess they won't
exchange the gifts
that you were meant to keep....