The Five-Day Rain
by Denise Levertov
The washing hanging from the lemon tree
in the rain
and the grass long and coarse.
Sequence broken, tension
of sunlight broken.
So light a rain
fine shreds
pending above the rigid leaves.
Wear scarlet! Tear the green lemons
off the tree! I don't want
to forget who I am, what has burned in me
and hang limp and clean, an empty dress ---
The Matron so loves the images, the suspension, the lust for lemons so urgent that one must reach while they are still green, not ready. No waiting!
Here's the day we've been given. Blaze and shine.
Wow. I think I'll go put on something scarlet now. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis poem always stirs up my heart, creating movement and a bit of agitation.
ReplyDelete