June 20, 2003

Keeping Things Whole
By: Mark Strand

In a field
I am the absence
of field.
This is
always the case. 5
Wherever I am
I am what is missing.

When I walk
I part the air
and always 10
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body’s been.

We all have reasons
for moving. 15
I move
to keep things whole.

                    

Eating Poetry
By: Mark Strand

Ink runs from the corners of my mouth.
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.

The librarian does not believe what she sees.
Her eyes are sad 5
and she walks with her hands in her dress.

The poems are gone.
The light is dim.
The dogs are on the basement stairs and coming up.

Their eyeballs roll, 10
their blond legs burn like brush.
The poor librarian begins to stamp her feet and weep.

She does not understand.
When I get on my knees and lick her hand,
she screams. 15

I am a new man.
I snarl and bark.
I romp with joy in the bookish dark.