Siren Song
This
is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is
irresistible:
the song that forces men
to leap overboard in
squadrons
even though they see the beached skulls
the song nobody
knows
because anyone who has heard it
is dead, and the others can't remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit?
I don'y enjoy it here
squatting on this
island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery
maniacs,
I don't enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I
will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This
song
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are
unique
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.
by Margaret Atwood