[BNP/E3, 78A – 4]

The Lip

One day in half‑slumbrous raving

     Where I saw strange fancies skip,

I saw in a dream, by no light's gleam,

     A man with only one lip -

     Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely,

     Absolutely with only one lip.

I remember well that he had no face

     Nor a nose with a usual tip;

He had nor eyes, nor cheks, nor hair

     But only, only one lip -

     Only one, only one, only one,

     Only one, one, one lip.

Can ye think of it without terror?

     No other lip did slip

Into the vision, nor was it a lack:

     There was only, only one lip.

Could you see him as I you would grow mad.

     That man with only one lip.

Alexander Search.

January 2^nd. 1908