January, 2012Archive

Jan 21

Praise Song for the Day (Alexander)

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Praise Song for the Day, by Elizabeth Alexander (1962-) Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each other’s eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.   All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. […]

Jan 20

On a Fly Drinking Out of His Cup (Oldys)

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On a Fly Drinking Out of His Cup, by William Oldys (1696-1761) Busy, curious, thirsty fly! Drink with me and drink as I: Freely welcome to my cup, Couldst thou sip and sip it up: Make the most of life you may, Life is short and wears away. Both alike are mine and thine Hastening […]

Jan 19

The Snowbound City (Haines)

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The Snowbound City, by John Haines (1924-2011) I believe in this stalled magnificence, this churning chaos of traffic, a beast with broken spine, its hoarse voice hooded in feathers and mist; the baffled eyes wink amber and slowly darken.   Of men and women suddenly walking, stumbling with little sleighs in search of Tibetan houses […]

Jan 18

Profile of the Night Heron (Wiese)

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Profile of the Night Heron, by Anne Pierson Wiese (1964-) In the Brooklyn Botanic Garden the night heron is on his branch of his tree, blue moon curve of his body riding low above the pond, leaves dipping into water beneath him, green and loose as fingers. On the far shore, the ibis is where […]

Jan 17

The Chambered Nautilus (Holmes)

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The Chambered Nautilus, by Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign,    Sails the unshadowed main,—    The venturous bark that flings On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings,    And coral reefs lie bare, Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming […]

Jan 16

Search (Knibbe)

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Search, by Hester Knibbe (1946-) Wandered tonight through a city as ruined as a body with broken ribs and a bared heart. Looked for you   there with cookies in my pocket, searched for a sigh, for movement in demolished streets and alleys. Tonight   since I’d forgotten for a moment where you are, I […]

Jan 15

In the Park (Harwood)

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In the Park, by Gwen Harwood (1920-1995) She sits in the park. Her clothes are out of date. Two children whine and bicker, tug her skirt. A third draws aimless patterns in the dirt. Someone she loved once passes by — too late to feign indifference to that casual nod. “How nice, ” et cetera. […]

Jan 15

The Snow Queen (Radford)

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The Snow Queen, by Dollie Radford (1858-1920) The Snow Queen passed by our way last night, Between the darkness and the light, And flowers from an enchanted star Fell showerlike from her flying car.   And silently through all the hours, The trees have borne their magic flowers And now stand up with dauntless head, […]

Jan 13

Starlight (Clive)

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Starlight, by Caroline Clive (1801-1873) Darkling methinks the path of life is grown, And Solitude and Sorrow close around; My fellow-travellers one by one are gone, Their home is reached, but mine must still be found. The sun that set as the last bow’d his head To cross the threshold of his resting place Has […]

Jan 12

It Couldn’t Be Done (Guest)

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It Couldn’t Be Done, by Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959) Somebody said that it couldn’t be done       But he with a chuckle replied That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one       Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin       On his face. If he worried […]

Words That Burn