Friday, October 1, 2010

1123. MAKING THE GRADE

MAKING THE GRADE
Making the grade means handling a heart,
breaking an arm, forecasting displeasure,
causing alarm. See no idle postehaste here.
The wily wren I just saw catching sunlight,
scooting away at a sound or a hint of trouble,
how unlike anything I know is that bird.
Reading air, understanding space, flying
through time. I envy the unexcelled marvel.
-
Down at the river, athwart the canal, the old
steam-man was seen sleeping in the sun :
on the bench built along the toll-house wall.
I noticed he threw no shadow at all - it was either
noon or, better, his image was but a chimera,
teasing me back from some hundred years ago.
(Either way, I'd never know).

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