6/21/11

Lines for Winter || Mark Strand


for Ros Krauss

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.

--
There's so much tranquil imagery in this poem:

gray falls from the air
hearing the same tune no matter where
dome of dark
cracking white of the moon's gaze
tune your bones play
small fire of winter stars
that you love what you are

Mark Strand has a way of making music with such beautiful and calming lines. They form peace of mind. Wherever I am.

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