New Collected Poems

Yet one more abandoned the heavy city’s
ring of greedy stones. And the water, salt and
crystal, closes over the heads of all who
truly seek refuge.
Silence slowly spiralling up has risen
here from earth’s recesses to put down roots and
grow and with its burgeoning crown to shade his
sun-heated doorstep.
*
Kicks a mushroom thoughtlessly. Thunder clouds are
piling on the skyline. Like copper trumpets
crooked roots of trees are resounding, foliage
scatters in terror.
Autumn’s headlong flight is his weightless mantle,
flapping till again from the frost and ashes
peaceful days have come in their flocks and bathe their
claws in the well-spring.
*
Disbelief will meet him who saw a geyser
and escaped from wells filled with stones, like Thoreau
disappearing deep in his inner greenness
artful and hopeful.

Yet one more abandoned the heavy city’s
ring of greedy stones. And the water, salt and
crystal, closes over the heads of all who

Cover photograph by Paula Tranströmer