Reading Poetry
A box of 10 Poetry Journals from National Poetry Month arrived at my doorstep last week. I’m super excited to share so if you want one, let me know. One […]
Tag Archives: poetry
To Waiting by W. S. Merw…
To Waiting
by W. S. Merwin
You spend so much of your time
expecting to become
someone else
always someone
who will be different
someone to whom a moment
whatever moment it may be
at last has come
and who has been
met and transformed
into no longer being you
and so has forgotten youmeanwhile in your life
you hardly notice
the world around you
lights changing
sirens dying along the buildings
your eyes intent
on a sight you do not see yet
not yet there
as long as you
are only yourselfwith whom as you
recall you were
never happy
to be left alone for long
“To Waiting” by W.S. Merwin, from Present Company. © Copper Canyon Press, 2007.
Mother Country by LEONARD…
Mother Country
by LEONARD CIRINOafter Rimma Kazakova
Just before dawn a woman goes to her shadow,
bent on learning what she doesn’t know.
The rain sets runlets glowing, the sun drones
like bees in summer. When has she spent
a more perfect time than late at night
in the meadow, under the moon’s spell,
while slowly gathering the field’s flowers?
With sideways looks that challenge fate,
she finds no words in these starry nights
that can speak the joy she feels. She knows
the world is lovely and walks barefoot
with unflinching eyes and an easy gait.
With all the courage she can muster, she lifts
her skirt and hides her children underneath.
(Published in Poet’s Basement 23 October 2009)
In honor of National Poetry Month, I offer this poem from Leonard Cirino (1943-2012). I love the idea of a woman seeking her shadow to learn what she doesn’t know, and finding joy.
