Mervin Mirapuri (1945–2020)
1. BIOGRAPHY
2. CRITICAL INTRODUCTION
3. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
4. SELECTED POEMS
an excerpt from “Communion”
an excerpt from “requiem for non-creation”
an excerpt from A Walk with My Pig
5. SELECTED VIDEOS
SELECTED POEMS
an excerpt from A Walk with My Pig, Chapter 1, “Mutterings of a Dead Pig”
Shalom
I am not without spirit you say
that I cannot relate to what is around meSo you have walked the lands
seen the oppressed of Jerusalem
and the surroundsLandscape not constructed only weathered and used
abused with emotional hot flushesBlurred sensitivities
blotted with uneven haphazard destructionBetter the smells of an unwashed unclean zoo
You have seen the contrite hearts
one in every pew
the wounded innocentForgive us our trespasses
Intolerable smugness
Intellectual arroganceBlessed are they
Blessed am ISome in the garbage dump
looking for something
anythingSomeone to hold in to
Some looking for a homeSome looking for a dirt floor house
rat infested full of fliesCanned fried flies make good export
Good for balance of payments
Good GNPForgive us our sins
Some looking for themselves
without a mirrorSome looking for themselves
through a mirrorThere was no reflection
only a glareblocking out my vision
Cobweb of light
I did not see where I was goingTell me if I look ok or if I am seen to be ok
seen to be ok
I have an image to maintain
a certain standardPomp and circumstance
I have the charisma
I want the applauseI have the mouth
My lips are full of praise
I am full of myselfYes I know
Aren’t we allBut
I can’t help myself
Must keep going
Feels good on the inside
to hear the echoes of myself
and to walk in my shadowTough minded people lasting out the tough times
When the going gets tough
the tough get goingWhere am I going
Just wanting to get ahead
Just a little
a little at a time – could this be inappropriateAnd if you don’t play the game
you will not be in the running to win
Then you must be in the ahead clubHope