Driving Through by
A. R. Ammons In the desert midnight I saidtaking out my notebook I am astonishedthough widely travelled havingseen Empire State and Palestine, Texasand San Miguel de Allendeto mention extremesand sharpened my pencil on the sole of my shoe The mountains running skiddedover the icy mirages of the moonand fell down tumbling laughing for breathon the cool dunesThe stone mosaics of the flattestplaces (parting lake-gifts) grouped in colors andplayed games at imagery: a greentiger with orange eyes, an Orpheuswith moving fingers Fontal the shrubs floodedeverything with coolwater I sat down against a brimming smoketreeto watch and morning found thedesert reservedtrembling at its hot and rainless task Driving throughyou would never suspectthe midnight rite or seeing my lonely houseguess it will someday holdlaurel and a friend in Collected Poems: 1971-1971,orig. in Corsons Inlet (Cornell U P, 1965)
Published on January 31, 2012 07:04