DRAGONFLY
Volume 1, Collected Poems, 2007
Preview
Dragonfly
The brief imperturbable glinting
poised on the merest tip of branch or weed or fishing rod
serves as the nearest framework
for wishing
the tentative motion from footed to winged intent,
fragilely executed,
shall outlive the seeming persistents:
pigeon and gull,
or young of the osprey: the adaptive, the murderous.
So small a machine of perpetual balance
should succeed in its use of sun against instinct
and talon.
Of Things More Beautiful
Of things more beautiful, how much could be
for me to know than you, my child, and she
whose flesh you share?
What a greater prize than you, a smiling boy,
behind her eyes, within her limbs, uncoiled
in lazy grace?
How you spring forth, my son, the minute she
looks up, or haunted by the sea,
shows fear or pain!
And how I clasp you to myself for joy
as I clasp her whose moods are but the toys
for your young games!