The Copyist of Chauvigny

The copyist of Chauvigny
doesn't copy on paper or canvas.
He copies on flesh on metal on wood.
He copies landscapes with and without handles.
He copies the Misses Paveur
the uncorked old men
the tiny machines
that replace the moths
the escaped tongues
but primarily he copies in flesh and blood
big and little children
looking just like the original and truly alive.
He copies them with their souls and their bones
their leather ears
their liquid trunks
their chrysalis eyes
I had him copy my six boys
and my six girls
and neither I nor my children could distinguish
between the originals and the copies.
Long live the copyist of Chauvigny!

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