Alone, like a feather in the air, An occasional sadness the weather knows Comes to earth as a bend in the road. The winter is at its most instructive As other sadnesses fall Across the democracy of objects. Those that aren't shy Introduce themselves -- Fool's Errand, Clowns of Anguish -- The Equitation of Beautiful Young Girls Is an exemplary sadness, As is The Whale's Parasol. I want to part company With linear extent, Congenital heartbreak, Where the raven goes and snow comes from. I want distance washed clean, Unencumbered by facts; The red cactus flower To slip into my shirt at dusk And be the heart's boat. I want Clowns of Anguish to raise the sail, And a white handkerchief Waving from shore. Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368-0271, www.cc.press.org | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TRUTH by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE NIGHT-PIECE: TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK PHILLIS'S AGE by MATTHEW PRIOR THE JACOBITE ON TOWER HILL by GEORGE WALTER THORNBURY THE TWO ARCHERS by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES CHRISTMAS EVE by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |