6.5.07

trembling already...

W. S. Merwin

Language


Certain words now in our knowledge we will not use again, and we will never forget them. We need them. Like the back of the picture. Like our marrow, and the color in our veins. We shine the lantern of our sleep on them, to make sure, and there they are, trembling already for the day of witness. They will be buried with us, and rise with the rest.

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The strength of Merwin’s piece, for me, rests in the day of witness. The need for expression, for understanding, for getting at the truth. Or at least as close as possible – given what can be known.

And who can say when that day of witness is – Some words are buried with us... some rise with the rest. What a wonderful wholeness.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love words we will not use again, and we will never forget them.

How true is that, when sitting down to write a poem, waiting for that right word to describe.

Pamela Johnson Parker said...

Every word will be raised incorruptable. Rapture: The only one-word definition I know (or need) for great poetry.

Thanks for this post.

sam of the ten thousand things said...

Merwin is a good writer to swim in. Thanks for the comments Melissa and Pamela.