The Pond at Dusk
by Jane Kenyon
A fly wounds the water but the wound
soon heals. Swallows tilt and twitter
overhead, dropping now and then toward
the outward-radiating evidence of food.
The green haze on the trees changes
into leaves, and what looks like smoke
floating over the neighbor’s barn
is only apple blossoms.
But sometimes what looks like disaster
is disaster: the day comes at last,
and the men struggle with the casket
just clearing the pews.
I don't have very cheerful thoughts today, but check out this week's Poetry Friday roundup, hosted by Matt Forrest Esenwine, who's celebrating the release of his new book!
12 comments:
Love Jane's work...thanks for sharing this, Ruth!
A fly "wounds" the water. How brilliant is that?! Thank you, Ruth... and so glad it was not disastrous for Haiti. So hard to watch these storms. Keep shining your light! xo
But sometimes what looks like disaster is disaster-what a troubling thought in an unsettling world. Stay safe Ruth. Live is uncertain and fragile.
I'm happy that your day did not come, Ruth, but am sad and worried for all the lives these hurricanes have wrecked, and more to come. Beautiful poem, and heavy from Kenyon's heart, it seems.
I'm glad you escaped disaster this time, and I hurt for those who did not this time around. Thank you for sharing the Kenyon poem. She has such wise words.
I've been wondering and am relieved to see you check in. Thank you, Ruth for the poem that is a story and a lesson and a moment of beauty. Struggling to clear the pews....
Glad to hear that you were spared this time around. Hurricanes and tornadoes and other natural disasters are such a staggering reminder of how powerless humanity can be. No matter how advanced we feel we are, there are still some forces we just can't control.
We know all too well the disaster of hurricanes here in South Louisiana. We've dodged Harvey and now Irma will pass us by, but the feeling is not relief. It's grief for those who are in the path because we know. Love this beautiful Jane Kenyon poem. I posted her "When Evening Comes" which is also about death, but with a bit more hopefulness.
I was thinking of you in relation to the hurricane, Ruth. So glad to hear all is well!
What an interesting poem! Just when one thinks there surely can be no more ways to describe a given scene, someone like Kenyon comes up with scenery as mirage. And what a perfect poem to express the close call you've just experienced. (You could never post too much Jane Kenyon!)
No, it's not cheery, but it's quite realistic to understand that disaster will come to each of us in some form sooner or later. We may not have the opportunity to watch it approaching on radar, but it's out there. And we'll deal with it somehow.
True, and heavy words Jane Kenyon writes. Death and destruction by disasters are difficult to deal with in so many ways. I'm glad you are safe. Thanks for sharing her poem.
Kenyon is not cheery, and yet, the beauty of her words is a consolation. As are yours, Ruth. I'm glad it wasn't your turn for a hurricane. We get them here, too, and I'm glad it's not our turn yet. But I know one day, we will get another.
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