For An American Burial, by George Starbuck (1931-1996) Slowly out of the dusk-bedeviled air, and off the passing blades of the gang plow and suddenly in state, as here and now, the earth gathers earth. The earth is fair; all that the earth demands is the earth’s share; all that we pervade and revel in […]
Night Life, by Vivian Smith (1933-) Disturbed at 2 a.m. I hear a claw scratching the window, tapping at the pane, and then I realise, a broken branch, and yet I can’t turn back to sleep again. Slowly, not to wake you, I get up, thinking of food, perhaps a quiet read. A […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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, […]