Bucolics [LIX]
when I see the shadow of the hawk but not the hawk itself do you know what it feels like Boss a stone a stone set on my chest it weighs me down it's stronger than the horse's strain against the plowlines Boss it's like the river after rain I can't hold back the pull the pull that makes me like its heft I even like the shadow's tiny yoke O Boss I feel its curve around my neck I see a flap of wings so black it binds me to the furrows Boss a shadow smarter than the sting of a switch though it is lighter than a feather though it is thinner than a leaf that shadow stone is one of many wonders Boss for all the world it makes me think of you you heavy thing you never move
Credit
From Bucolics by Maurice Manning. Copyright © 2007 by Maurice Manning. Reprinted with permission of Harcourt, Inc.
Date Published
01/01/2007