Forgotten Ground Regained
A Trinity Riddle
First published in Cowboys and Indians, Christmas Shopping. 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, 1992.