American poetry

The Little Town

By Donald Hall

Spring 1975

I walk for a long time. These mountains are soft, and these valleys. Suddenly the skin of a mountain moves, and it becomes a valley. It's been raining here. New streams trickle through underbrush, among blue wildflowers, and butterflies as blue as [...]

0 Comments

How the Last Act Begins

By Chana Bloch

Autumn 1998

The trouble with you is you're not
loving enough. A drastic
summons, a trumpet of

0 Comments

Hybrids of Plants and of Ghosts

By Jorie Graham

Spring 1979

I understand it is grafting,
this partnership of lost wills, common flowers.

0 Comments

Rehearsal

By Chana Bloch

Autumn 1998

Driving to the airport, we pass the equestrian
statue in the park: the plumed general
on his narrow plinth. It's not easy

0 Comments

The History of Men

By Jack Gilbert

Spring 1994

It thrashes in the oaks and soughs in the elms.
Catches on innocence and soon dismantles that.
Sends children bewildered into life. Childhood

0 Comments

Michiko Dead

By Jack Gilbert

Spring 1994

He manages like somebody carrying a box
that is too heavy, first with his arms
underneath. When their strength gives out,

0 Comments

Milkers Broken Up

By Donald Hall

Spring 1990

I was sleeping in Madison, Anthony Bradbury's spareroom,
after a day when we visited a gallery to look at collages
he had pasted from illustrations torn out of magazines.

0 Comments