Friday, November 28, 2008

Poetry Friday -- R.G. Vliet



Who that life was


is clear: the wrist that moved


near the table, the white dress


in the shadow, sidestepping the square


sunlight on the floor lest it burn


the hem of it. Apples are pared


and notes sent and the black


stud is kept in the stable.


Fires light her pillow.


Morningtimes the garden smokes.


September. September. September.


Doors are kept ajar,


but only so. The circus is outside


the windows. The bread rises,


jelly is put in jars,


the hand is on the newel.


Shoes glide up the stairs,


and the small attic burns.”


Emily Dickinson

-- R.G. Vliet


And one more from Vliet:


“We all live

in the same garden, the iris stalks

that squeaked when we pulled them,

the weighted brambles, over hands stained

by raspberries. Sunlight rustles the grass

and the angel waits with his hands in his lap.


--from Passages




This week's Poetry Friday Round-Up is at Lisa's Blog.

6 comments:

tanita✿davis said...

I've never heard the name Vliet except for a family friend, so I have three good reasons now to look up this poet. The piece from Passages is especially beautiful; thanks.

Ruth said...

I love the idea of Emily Dickinson burning, even in the middle of such an outwardly ordinary life. She was amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

Author Amok said...

I love that fire in the attack. What a powerful final line.

Anonymous said...

Whoops. I must have crossed Emily with the crazy lady in Jane Eyre's attic, ready to attack!

Thanks again for a great poem.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

These are so lovely. Thank you!

laurasalas said...

Beautiful! I love the details in Passages...but both poems are just gorgeous.