Wednesday, February 27, 2013

A Great Wagon

A Great Wagon



When I see your face, the stones start spinning!
 You appear; all studying wanders. 
I lose my place.

Water turns pearly. 
Fire dies down and doesn’t destroy.

In your presence I don’t want what I thought 
I wanted, those three little hanging lamps.

Inside your face the ancient manuscripts
 seem like rusty mirrors. 

You breathe; new shapes appear,
 and the music of a desire as widespread
 as spring begins to move 
like a great wagon.

Drive slowly. Some of us 
walking alongside are lame.



From The Book of Love
Translated by Coleman Barks