December 13, 2010

Poem for the first true cold
















Be Music, Night


Be music, night,
That her sleep may go
Where angels have their pale tall choirs

Be a hand, sea,
That her dreams may watch
Thy guidesman touching the green flesh of the world

Be a voice, sky,
That her beauties may be counted
And the stars will tilt their quiet faces
Into the mirror of her loveliness

Be a road, earth,
That her walking may take thee
Where the towns of heaven lift their breathing spires

O be a world and a throne, God,
That her living may find its weather
And the souls of ancient bells in a child's book
Shall lead her into Thy wondrous house

- Kenneth Patchen

2 comments:

WOL said...

Thanks. I needed that.

Nan said...

Gosh, Kenneth Patchen. He was big when Tom and I were young and first knew each other. I have a little book of his poems. This one is so nice.