Monday, August 09, 2010

A Silver Branch Is Broken From

[to the Russian Poets: past, present and future with deep hope and gratitude-and, most directly to the poets of the Silver Age]



a silver branch is broken from

a golden tree.



in the upper atmosphere

are many angels
and clouds of shimmering
radiant symbols



if it were colder it would be

snowing angels
and Christmas could come early



but you lose your way in

the fairytale forest
forgetting to be
on your guard-



plucking a rose in the

fatal hour-
turning to stone.



all blazing kingdoms

corroborate:



the same victory on the same day




and there is world-wide entertainment

and sherbert in 10,000 flavors



but the milk-white sky pours out

pitchers of sorrow



the sun on its own bakes

bitter loaves
and like children unjustly punished



we can't stop weeping for

the silver branch



cut from the golden tree-




mary angela douglas 13 june 2005/30 august 2005/copyright 2006

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