Root Poems (1-6)

deviant art by norwegian angel

ROOT POEMS (1-6)


1

Someone moves a white ball
down the line.
Or someone moves a dark ball
& has asked a question
saying:
down the line
I waited & was waiting.
Down the line.

2
How lightly we are moved.
How open.
He is open & is seen.
He sees us.
He is open & he sees us.
How lightly we are moved.
Like lights.
Another witness.

3
Open.
Open & shut.
Branches,
Say the light of branches.
Say it first.
I go.
I go with branches.
Open.

4
Snow on the back of his neck.
He revives
makes the narrow walk to sleep.
a second bed was waiting.
But sometimes he doesn't revive.
The one who revives
is more angular (leaner).
He revives.
He feels snow on the back of his neck.

5
Darkness before darkness.
Before light & darkness.
Darkening.
Where your eye was moving.
Did you see me.
Darkening.
My eye was moving in the darkness.
Before light.

6
How they have hurt you
Says a friend.
He buys a newspaper.
He performs a service.
He performs his service
Cold.
There can be no gratitude
Ever
Says a friend.

1968 Jerome Rothenberg

Posted over on Grist #12