A Story ~ Jane Hirshfield A woman tells me the story of a small wild bird, beautiful on her window sill, dead three days. How her daughter came suddenly running, “It’s moving, Mommy, he’s alive.” And when she went, it was. The emerald wing-feathers stirred, the throat seemed to beat again with pulse. Closer then, […]
The Dancer at Cruachan and Cro-Patrick ~ William Butler Yeats I, proclaiming that there is Among birds or beasts or men One that is perfect or at peace. Danced on Cruachan’s windy plain, Upon Cro-patrick sang aloud; All that could run or leap or swim Whether in wood, water or cloud, Acclaiming, proclaiming, declaiming Him.
Never Mind What They Say ~ Leyla Hanim Translated from Turkish by Talat S. Halman Let’s get going, Start the festivities, Never mind what they say. Drink wine With your loved one, Never mind what they say. What do I care If people approve or disapprove? God bless my friends, Never mind what they say. […]
Drought ~ Oumar Ba (Translated from French by Kathleen Weaver) The frail scorched grasses are stripped now Of their green hues and compared to the Hot sun. The evil dryness poisons the heart Of the unconquerable branching rivers and The harsh shriveling winds burrow under ground, Muddied with filth—the forest next, Now birds give up […]
Like They Say ~ Robert Creeley Underneath the tree on some soft grass I sat, I watched two happy woodpeckers be dis- turbed by my presence. And why not, I thought to myself, why not.
