Michiko Dead
He manages like somebody carrying a box
that is too heavy, first with his arms
underneath. When their strength gives out,
he moves the hands forward, hooking them
on the corners, pulling the weight against
his chest. He moves his thumbs slightly
when the fingers begin to tire,
and it makes different muscles take over.
Afterward,
he carries it on his shoulder,
until the blood drains out of the arm
that is stretched up to steady the box
and the arm goes numb. But now
the man can hold underneath again,
so that he can go on
without ever putting the box down.
Jack Gilbert
Posted over on Poetry Foundation
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