Wednesday, January 5, 2011




The Almanac of Last Things
By Linda Pastan

From the almanac of last things
I choose the spider lily
for the grace of its brief
blossom, though I myself
fear brevity,

but I choose The Song of Songs
because the flesh
of those pomegranates
has survived
all the frost of dogma.

I choose January with its chill
lessons of patience and despair- and
August, too sun-struck for lessons.
I choose a thimbleful of red wine
to make my heart race,

then another to help me
sleep. From the almanac
of last things I choose you,
as I have done before.
And I choose evening

because the light clinging
to the window
is at its most reflective
just as it is ready
to go out.

"Carnival Evening: New and Selected Poems 1968-1998"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

7 comments:

Wine and Words said...

I like that...from the almanac of last things, or the island of misfit toys. I chose you.

Love you Marion.

Kelly said...

A wonderful collection of Pastan poetry (that I'm proud to own!).

That last stanza is the best!!

Serena said...

I just want to fall right through that bedroom window photo, Marion. It's beautiful! I've been saying for, what, 8 or 9 years now, that I'm going to come and visit you, and I'm going to do it, too, because I just know that your entire home is an enchanted wonderland. I wish I had half your "touch."
xox

* said...

"I choose January with its chill
lessons of patience and despair-" -- in many ways, I choose January, too.

A thoughtful poem, Marion, for a thoughtful day.

Woman in a Window said...

If we are right in our eyes, then everywhere we look there is reason for thanks, even in January. I smile. On my way home from the neighbouring town today, my god, the roads were bad but if you could have seen the world. It was as though with the new snow it grew closer, not colder, but closer. My heart was still. January.

xo
erin

GYPSYWOMAN said...

love this beautiful piece, lady! you always choose just the right one for that moment in time! much affection -

Punk Chopsticks said...

This is truly a masterpiece (IO gotta ask, did you write this yourself? Of yes, then you are GOD. if nay then you have amazing taste. Either way, awesome job!)