

On Grim Reaper’s knee

Bouncing like a baby

And smiling too.

No teeth, but what a grin!

Everyone’s in love with you.

They say Death

Hid his face in his hood

So he could smile too.





Charles Simic







Charles Simic's poem in this issue will appear in his new book, Come Closer and Listen, to be published by Ecco Press in 2019.