19.3.09

against the current...

Raymond Carver

The Current


These fish have no eyes
these silver fish that come to me in dreams,
scattering their roe and milt
in the pockets of my brain.

But there’s one that comes—
heavy, scarred, silent like the rest,
that simply holds against the current,

closing its dark mouth against
the current, closing and opening
as it holds to the current.

*

Such a vital piece from a literary master.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is such an intense poem of what holds just under the surface...it begs you to read it slowly, more than once. A small gift which opens into largeness.

Collin Kelley said...

So much with so few words. This is the essence of good poetry.

James Owens said...

So much in such a small space, the whole world, really. That's Carver's genius....

Issa's Untidy Hut said...

Beauty ...

Lisa Nanette Allender said...

Love Carver. This is a great pick.

Popsicle Recipes said...

Loved reeading this thanks