Monday, April 5, 2010

WHEN THE POEM MOVES ON

The starting point is at the bottom
you reach using words, their tilted
sounds and false count, for support.

Surefooted, laconic, and culpable,
your work moves past embellishment
girding image with mendicant emotion.

Constructing loss by left to right ascent
fixes a watch for wear
inverting the sky, feeding its empty bowl.

Something was happening off the ground.
This is the poetic leap,
finished with meaning, and there is nothing
     
about it to point at.  The poet goes back
to the articulated house.  Its brick
chimney draws smoke above a gable roof.

3 comments:

  1. Wow. I love it. So many things about it, like the first stanza, or the second...'The poet goes back in the articulate house.' You've paired words as a vintner pairs wine and food.

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  2. Nice word, vintner. Thanks. - Chico

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