Forgotten Ground Regained
The Swan's Song (translated from the Exeter Book)
First published in An Eagle Nation. Reprinted by permission.
I spread, descending, a samite of stars.White fingers bring me · for breakfast Mont Blanc,and I develop · on earth's negativethe prints proving · a presence absent.Rainbow-dancing, my restless soft-selfteaches the sun at · his summer turn toreprise in dawn-prisms · the light-praise of plants,or stars in winter · the still song-homeswith brittle jewels · dropped bright from darkness,or shifts my shape to · a shimmering self-trap.NOW Speak, if you spy it, the spECIal nameI bear in spring when · I baRE TAWdry alleysto wear till dawn night-diamonds, till dusk the jewel of time.
Copyright © Carter Revard, 1999.
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