Or That, Or This

suppose
Life is
an old man
carrying flowers
on his head.

young death sits
in a cafe smiling,
a piece of money
held between his
thumb and first finger

(i say
"will he buy flowers"
to you and
"Death is young
life wears
velour trousers
life totters,
life has a beard"

(i say to you
who are silent.
--"Do you see
Life? he is there and here,
or that, or this
or nothing or an old man 3 thirds
asleep, on his head
flowers, always crying
to nobody something about les
roses les bluets
yes, will He buy
Les belles bottes--oh hear
, pas cheres")

and my love slowly answered I think so. But
I think I see someone else

there is a lady, whose name is Afterwards
she is sitting beside young death, is slender;
likes flowers.

--e.e. cummings