On the Subject of Poetry by W. S. Merwin

This window was created by my talented and beautiful daughter, April, who is an artist and a high school art teacher. It's faux stained glass made with tissue paper and glue on an old, recycled window.  The woman is sitting cross-legged and reading a book.  She gave me this masterpiece of art for Christmas year before last.  We LOVE homemade gifts at our house!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

On the Subject of Poetry

By W. S. Merwin

I do not understand the world, Father.
By the millpond at the end of the garden
There is a man who slouches listening
To the wheel revolving in the stream, only
There is no wheel there to revolve.

He sits in the end of March, but he sits also
In the end of the garden; his hands are in
His pockets. It is not expectation
On which he is intent, nor yesterday
To which he listens. It is a wheel turning.

When I speak, Father, it is the world
That I must mention. He does not move
His feet nor so much as raise his head
For fear he should disturb the sound he hears
Like a pain without a cry, where he listens.

I do not think I am fond, Father,
Of the way in which always before he listens
He prepares himself by listening. It is
Unequal, Father, like the reason
For which the wheel turns, though there is no wheel.

I speak of him, Father, because he is
There with his hands in his pockets, in the end
Of the garden listening to the turning
Wheel that is not there, but it is the world,
Father, that I do not understand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I got a new book of poems by W. S. Merwin recently.  I'd never read his poems before and am now in the throes of new poet-love! 

Love & Blessings,

~*~ Marion ~*~

PS:  Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti who are devastated by a recent earthquake.  If you are able, please give to your local relief agency.  Thank you...