Tuesday, November 9, 2010

God's Justice by Anne Carson

November, 2009 Dragonfly by Marion


God’s Justice
By Anne Carson

In the beginning there were days set aside for various tasks.
On the day He was to create justice
God got involved in making a dragonfly

and lost track of time.
It was about two inches long
with turquoise dots all down its back like Lauren Bacall.

God watched it bend its tiny wire elbows
as it set about cleaning the transparent case of its head.
The eye globes mounted on the case

rotated this way and that
as it polished every angle.
Inside the case

which was glassy black like the windows of a downtown bank
God could see the machinery humming
and He watched the hum

travel all the way down turquoise dots to the end of the tail
and breathe off as light.
Its black wings vibrated in and out.

From: “Glass, Irony and God” page 49

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This entire book is purely amazing.  I wish I could buy a copy for everyone I know.  I got it today and read it straight through.  If you love poetry, you must own this book.  (I discovered Ms. Carson through Dorianne Laux's poem, "Mugged By Poetry".)  Reading poetry leads to buying more poetry.  :-)

~Marion

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11 comments:

Titus said...

Thanks Marion, I've just started on Plainwater and she's blowing me away!
So yes, get your Anne Carson now!

Kelly said...

Oooo...this is nice! Both the poem and your lovely dragonfly!

* said...

Carson is amazing. I came upon her words earlier this year and felt immediately drawn, curious, captivated. Loved the dragonfly in this poem, fits into your world so well...

quid said...

How beautiful and perfect for you!

I love the Lauren Bacall line.

quid

audrey said...

Marion,
Amazing photo and beautiful poem. A lovely way to start my day!!
Thank you.
♥ audrey

Bubba said...

You really have a way with dragonflies, Marion... nice photo!

By the way (speaking of dragonflies), did you read this? Dead Dragonfly

Wine and Words said...

Marion, I once thought how lucky that you find all these dragon fly poems. But now I know....they seek you out!

Love you my Marion! I sent you a little somethin' in the mail :)

Jaliya said...

Yay! God gets distracted too!
;-D

GYPSYWOMAN said...

thanks so much for reminding us once again of the beauty of carson's work - another trip to amazon now, as well, but well worth the wait for words such as these!!! happy dragonfly days, dear lady!

Rick said...

Marion
I like the thought of God admiring His own beautiful creation and terming it justice.
the mental imagery was great.
Love~rick

SarahA said...

I have been sitting here in your place for the last 15mins and I am full, ready to burst! So much absorbed and then satisfied my hunger within.
I am loving Ms Carson's words and am thinking, it would be a good investment to buy such.
Thank you Marion, for opening windows within me; again.