The palm at the end of the mind, beyond the last thought, rises in the bronze distance. A gold feathered bird sings in the palm, without human meaning, without human feeling, a foreign song. You know then that it is not the reason that makes us happy or unhappy.
The bird sings. Its feathers shine. The palm stands on the edge of space. The wind moves slowly in the branches. The bird's fire-fangled feathers dangle down.

Monday, October 31, 2022

* * *

To the twilight, bring

some herbs that grow here.

As the sun goes down, sing

to him, give thanks.

 

Offer the sun

a sprig of parsley, 

a buttercup. He too is one

who has known these small things.


--Guillevic

translated by Denise Levertov

 

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