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cali

(114,904 posts)
Sun Nov 30, 2014, 05:07 AM Nov 2014

Keeping Things Whole

Keeping Things Whole


In a field
I am the absence
of field.
This is
always the case.
Wherever I am
I am what is missing.

When I walk
I part the air
and always
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body's been.

We all have reasons
for moving.
I move
to keep things whole.

Mark Strand was giant of a poet in a generation of brilliant poets. He died at age 80 yesterday of cancer. RIP, Mr. Strand and thanks for your beautiful words.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/30/nyregion/mark-strand-80-dies-pulitzer-winning-poet-laureate.html?_r=0

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Keeping Things Whole (Original Post) cali Nov 2014 OP
I had never heard of him, but I like that poem. lovemydog Nov 2014 #1
I'm glad. I really love his words. and now you've asked for it cali Nov 2014 #2
'tell yourself in that final flowing of cold though your limbs lovemydog Nov 2014 #3
These are Delphinus Nov 2014 #4
thank you so much for reading and commenting. cali Nov 2014 #5
kick for heart rending beauty cali Nov 2014 #6
 

cali

(114,904 posts)
2. I'm glad. I really love his words. and now you've asked for it
Sun Nov 30, 2014, 06:41 AM
Nov 2014

call me a Strand evangelist:

Tell yourself
as it gets cold and gray falls from the air
that you will go on
walking, hearing
the same tune no matter where
you find yourself—
inside the dome of dark
or under the cracking white
of the moon's gaze in a valley of snow.
Tonight as it gets cold
tell yourself
what you know which is nothing
but the tune your bones play
as you keep going. And you will be able
for once to lie down under the small fire
of winter stars.
And if it happens that you cannot
go on or turn back
and you find yourself
where you will be at the end,
tell yourself
in that final flowing of cold through your limbs
that you love what you are.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
3. 'tell yourself in that final flowing of cold though your limbs
Sun Nov 30, 2014, 06:52 AM
Nov 2014

that you love what you are.'

Beautiful.

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