He was born on a commune
At the age of two his parents lent him to other families
They received his sisters in return

As a boy he collected
The likenesses of failed acrobats
And often visited their graves

He never cared for travelling
But always kept a lamp bright
By his map of the world

He was also known to write suicide notes for his friends
But took his time
As he appreciated their friendships

Once a week he swam with Hilda in Millers Pond
They hung from the drooping branches of a willow tree
This was their worship

At the age of thirty he visited a city
And daubed the slogan “Angels with Caesar”
On the side of a tram

He was imprisoned for a month
During his captivity his hair turned white
The colour of angels

Upon his release he bought the prison governor
A box of chocolates
And expressed his satisfaction

During the Great War he was reported “Missing in Action”
Which was strange
As he had failed to enlist