After Months Away

the world is full of prayers

arrived at from

afterwards

    W. S. Merwin, "Words From A Totem Animal"

 

 

  

This stream singing with spring rain sounds now

Where nothing had been heard all winter, heard

Now in the rush of what had been hushed water

Staying and settled in stones and silence, shallow

As the shadows of the oaks and cottonwoods on it,

 

But moving now, more to depth than any distance;

Renewal rising from the cold catchment, its portent

And prophecy apprehended only as afterthought;

How sometimes realization precedes expectation,

And revelation proceeds from silence into song.

 





Poetry by countryfog
Read 632 times
Written on 2015-06-06 at 16:16

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It's another birdbrained beginning to a comment, because I've found the poem by Mervin yet feel that I'd need to invest more time than I have at present to understand it.
Setting that aside, I enjoyed reading this piece. The first line is particularly fine for the alliteration picked up by Larry and the description as a whole is very inviting, especially for the shadows of the trees upon the water.
The second verse seems to speak of something beyond reasoning. Perhaps it is faith?
From all at BirdBrains, applause!
2015-06-22


one trick pony The PoetBay support member heart!
i found the quote by w.s merwin, and your final line bound this poem perfectly, not only that, but left me pondering imponderables.
2015-06-09


Jamsbo Rockda The PoetBay support member heart!
Extremely deep and a very nice read. Water is life and expectation is hope. Coming from a dry country I know this.
2015-06-08


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
You sly dog. This poem has to be read at least twice, first for its message, and then for the remarkable amount of alliteration you've slipped into it.
2015-06-07