I had only one prayer, but it spreadfrom her wonderful collection The Snow Watcher.
like lilies, a single flower duplicating
itself over and over until it was rampant.
uncountable. At ten I lay dreaming
in its crushed green blades.
How did I come by it, strange notion
that the hard stems of rage could be broken,
that the lilies were made of words,
my words? Each one I picked
laid a wish to rest. I mean killed it.
The difference between prayer
and a wish is that a wish knows it will be
a failure even as it sets out,
whereas a prayer is still innocent.
Wishing wants prayer to find that out.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Decade
For advent, here's Chase Twichell's poem Decade:
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4 comments:
I'm very approving of blogging about poems - must do that a bit more often. I've noticed nobody ever comments if I post poems, but I am going to comment on this! I think this poem is partly about the balance of hope and disillusion in life and in faith. That' something I can relate to this advent - and most of the time actually! It's also my deep thought for the day (week?)
That is a great poem. And one I had never heard before. I think I like the way she writes so much, I may check out her entire collection. Thank you for sharing.
Two comments on a poem post - thank you!
I picked up this collection on a trip to the US, there's more from the Snow Watcher, quoted here I've found it difficult to find her works in the UK maybe I should try the internet(!)
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