Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MISSY 1966-1971 by JAMES HARRISON

Poet Analysis

First Line: I WANT TO BE WORTHY OF THIS WAKING DREAM
Last Line: BOUND.
Subject(s): DREAMS; LOSS; MEMORY; NIGHTMARES;

I want to be worthy of this waking dream --
floating above
the August landscape
in a coffin with my dog
who's just died from fibroid cancer.
Yes. We'll be up there and absorb
the light of stars and phosphorus
like the new army telescopic sights
and the light hanging captive
in clouds
and the light glittering upward
from the water
and porch lights
from the few trucks & cars
at 3 AM
and one lone airliner.
Grief holding us safe in a knot we'll float
over every mile we covered, birch clump, thorn apple,
wild cherry trees and aspen in search of grouse,
your singular white figure fixed then as Sirius the Dog Star.
I think this crazed boy striking
out at nothing
wants to join you
so homeward
bound.



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