#phillis levin

And aren’t we all like this at times, Bumping helplessly down the stairs

Into a street surging with fire, The one whose eyes were upon us

Out of control of the handle Attached to our carriage?

Why are we shocked when The glasses drop and the face

Of horror crowds the screen? The reel crackles, there is

No end in sight, Nowhere to flee.

We have seen them before, People who look surprised

To have lived so long: open An album, pass a wooden door.

Late summer, the quiet creatures Scurrying through grass

Know it’s time to start over, Theirs a genesis we cannot reenter.

Today my scissors follow the chalk,

Tomorrow I will help you make your name.

Moroni’s Tailor by Phillis Levin

The Tailor is an oil on canvas painting by Italian painter Giovanni Battista Moroni, from 1565-1570. It is a portrait of a member of the Marinoni family, who has been traditionally taken to be a tailor practising his art during the work day.

Ferocious flower Cast out

Dent de lion

Wily traveler Rooted in ruthlessness

Dent de lion

Dreaded survivor Poisoned hunted speared

Dent de lion

Exile returning to rule Legions of grass

Dent de lion

On a spur of the moment Marrying the wind

Dent de lion

Settling in To make a new broadcast

Dent de lion

Broaching the dream-gate Tail swaying

Dent de lion

Jagged leaf for a tooth Bearing the bite of your name

Dent de lion

Your mane a nebula Born of galaxies of gold

Dent de lion

Vigil Phillis Levin

Why not wake at dawn? Why not break From the coffin of night, whose nails Are the only stars left.  Why not follow A tear like a comet's tail, and trail The grief of a year until it ends-- Who knows where.  Why not wake At dawn, after all is gone, and go on?

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Also by Phillis Levin: May Day

On this day in: 

Flame under the bubbling water.  Blue flame. Water ready for tea.

Amber infusion soon to be seeping,

Leaves about to uncurl. Here Is a tin, a spoon, a cup, an open

Teapot saying, Nobody else but me