The following poem is by Berkeley Smith, a San Antonio, Texas poet. Berkeley is one of the artists I write about in the book Murder By Collage With Found Objects. 

I would like to share this poem written by my friend Berkeley, who died from AIDS. I include this poem in the book. Berkeley's pen name is Irving Wazier-as in "Kilroy was here." Berkeley left his poems with me and I'm sure he would like very much for this poem to be shared with others around the world. 

Thank you, 
Gene Elder 

How It Happens
by
Irving Wazier

Long struggle 
Tough at the 
Beginning, 
Smooth 
At the end, 
No, 
That's not 
How it happens. 


How it happens 
Is 
Two children 
Play on the 
Shore, 
Building 
Sandcastles 
All day, 
And then 
The tide comes in 
And washes 
Them away, 
And washes 
Away 
The Vatican, 
The pyramids, 
Love, life, 
Pain, joy, 
And the 
Statue of Liberty. 
The tide just comes in.