107

The mime chokes and comes
Awake and starts up coughing
Beating at his chest and it
Seems for the first time that
There is blood come into his
Face and he veers back to
Lie horizontally once more.
His eyes fix on Pierrot, drawn
Back darkly into the recesses
Of his painted face, watching
For any violent movement but
Pierrot only stands above him
Brandishing the liquorglass.

The television is playing but
It is mute. Inside it, arranged
As in diorama, an armoured
Vehicle moves minutely in the
Wreckage of an empty street.
The white hulking man and the
Drawn, lurid child maintain
Their nonmotion, and speak:
What is your name? Pierrot.
Do you speak French? No.