Nov 14 2008

Poem of the Week

photo by Regina Mossotti

A Sort of Song

 

Let the snake wait under

his weed

and the writing

be of words, slow and quick, sharp

to strike, quiet to wait,

sleepless.

 

—through metaphor to reconcile

the people and the stones.

Compose. (No ideas

but in things) Invent!

Saxifrage is my flower that splits

the rock.

 

                   ~William Carlos Williams

 

Few poems or poets have had more impact on my writing.  It’s innocuous and slim, but the sentiments (the implication) of the speaker and the precision of image never tire.  The naked image, uncluttered by the poet’s attempt at “meaning-making”, is a grossly undervalued tool in much of contemporary poetry. 

~Managing Editor