47

Out of the mournful festering     of lying earth
the noisy nonsense     all my muttering
one
       lone
                star
                        came
                                forth,     one
                        island
                rose,
        and
blooming,
                sang
                                to me:

I am     that cardinal goldfinch--apple of your eye

 

48

I am     that cardinal goldfinch--apple of your eye
the shadowy ALMA of your soul     I am
that blackened penny--widow's mite
that brought down satraps & their soldiery

I the hand     that lifts your wooden sword
& renders peace     unto divided night
I the mind     that ponders sorrow--word
gave Dante voice     & flowered Mandelstam

So she whispered--so I wrote it down.
& as her features faded into sky
she looked on me     & said--     I am
the rood your bloodline bears--your palm's lifeline,
I am     the Lion     left out of your play
high up     in the cupola afloat     again

---

Henry Gould | Island Road 49
Contents | Mudlark No. 6