Conversations as poems

Basil discusses his quest with a sceptical Sybil

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Basil: I am on a quest.

Sybil: Which is…?

Basil: I want to find perfectly formed conversations.

Sybil: Are there such things?

Basil: Just as there are many perfect poems, especially short ones, like haiku, so I think short conversations can a kind poem.

Sybil: Conversations as poems? Like when you say to the Chinese baker, “One wholemeal,” and she replies, “Two dollar fifty, love.” Short, but hardly poetic.

Basil: No, not that, it needs a bit more, like words, sensitivity of mood, rhythm.

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