For Kurt Schwitters
Schwitters was a builder
never needed a permit to clear up the site
never took sundays off
from an unbroken line
headed out with seaweed and shells
bits of glass – string wire nails
gathered existence simply
from what was found to be seen.
Schwitters was a builder
carried the heavy lumber himself
in that same part of the truth
lying salvaged in so many black hearts
stacked in hollows – grouped
beside plans for some other corner to come –
could have stood more gratitude though
more something or other.
Schwitters was a builder
don’t mention a word he whispered
to the one or two that almost got it
turning left along the next worn track
pressing upwards for love.
Phil Bowen
Picture Kurt Schwitters