An author, a book: Mihran H. Azhderian and "Fruit Under Leaves"

Pierrot in Metropolis

Let us
each be
frivolous a pea
or a lettuce.
Planted shallower than the least deep
down down
in middle of town
let's weep.


Let us stand like silly
lettuce
or white lily
'midst the multitude.
And as prelude
to our moist laugh over tears
shed for vain fears


let us
dressed like silly
lettuce
or white lily
be clown
and in the deep
tall town
let's weep.


Mihran H. Azhderian, Fruit Under Leaves,  Howell-North Press, Berkeley, CA, 1946