[Here’s the next B.N. poem; this one concludes the first section of the manuscript. Please enjoy!]
Dark Glass
The animals are
our rightful heirs—
they strut and screech
so meek, so civilized. They come
from the book of Esther
with beauty to spare,
an understanding for kin and kingship
and the promise: Someday you
will love this life,
this famous grey house.
The crows are making
a pilgrimage across
the lawn. I love to watch them walk.
Take my advice, wait until you can
wait no longer.
You can stand
to be without them,
narrow and alone, thinking
This is the person
I was meant to become. Deadpan
in love is the diminishing
I know by heart
which means a likeness
to forgive.
B.N.
© to the author, 1983-2009
This poem appeared previously in Gulf Coast
John, BN has such a depth of understanding of connections between the natural world and our own, spoken in a beautiful, contemplative tone! She reminds me of one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver.
ReplyDeleteI love the notion of animals coming from the biblical book of Esther. And fabulous ending line. I really like this one.
ReplyDeleteWow! This is exquisite. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, Willow & Reya
ReplyDeleteKaren: Your Mary Oliver comparison is interesting; I may ask BN about that next time I talk to her.
Willow: The Book of Esther line is phenomenal, in my opinion.
Reya: Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Having an affinity with crows, I found the line "The crows are making a pilgrimage across
ReplyDeletethe lawn" truly compelling. Please tell B.N. that her poems are a pleasure to read.
Hi Sandra: I will certainly do so!
ReplyDelete