A Blessing

Some days it is easy to find the wonder.  Some days, like today, it just appears in front of me.  This photo was taken on the way up to Golden Gate State Park today.  The image of the two black and white horses took me instantly back to a basement room in 1974 in Allen Hall at Louisiana State University where Ray Beard read aloud the poem below. 

My B.A. is in Poetry Writing.  As you might imagine, I have studied and read a LOT of poems in my life.  Here is my single favorite poem, the one which turned me from a journalism major into a poetry writing major within the time it took to hear this poem read aloud. 

A Blessing

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota, Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass. And the eyes of those two Indian ponies Darken with kindness. They have come gladly out of the willows To welcome my friend and me. We step over the barbed wire into the pasture Where they have been grazing all day, alone. They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness That we have come. They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other. There is no loneliness like theirs. At home once more, they begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness. I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms, For she has walked over to me And nuzzled my left hand. She is black and white, Her mane falls wild on her forehead, And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist. Suddenly I realize That if I stepped out of my body I would break Into blossom. James Wright

Comments

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

Come back, little Sheba.

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

Beautiful photos and a truly memorable poem. And now, a favor. One of your old poems with one of your current wondrous photos.