Poetry Friday: Take a (line) break
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In honor of National Poetry Month, The Thread is introducing Poetry Fridays. Each Friday in April, we will publish a selection of poetry from local independent publishing houses Graywolf Press and Coffee House Press.
Muffin of Sunsets
Elaine Equi
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The sky is melting. Me too.
Who hasn't seen it this way?
Pink between the castlework
of buildings.
Pensive syrup
drizzled over clouds.
It is almost catastrophic how heavenly.
A million poets, at least,
have stood in this very spot,
groceries in hand, wondering:
"Can I witness the Rapture
and still make it home in time for dinner?"
"Muffin of Sunsets," copyright © 2015 by Elaine Equi. Reprinted from "Sentences and Rain" with the permission of Coffee House Press.
Marriage of Many Years
Dana Gioia
Most of what happens happens beyond words.
The lexicon of lip and fingertip
defies translation into common speech.
I recognize the musk of your dark hair.
It always thrills me, though I can't describe it.
My finger on your thigh does not touch skin--
it touches your skin warming to my touch.
You are a language I have learned by heart.
This intimate patois will vanish with us,
its only native speakers. Does it matter?
Our tribal chants, our dances round the fire
performed the sorcery we most required.
They bound us in a spell time could not break.
Let the young vaunt their ecstasy. We keep
our tribe of two in sovereign secrecy.
What must be lost was never lost on us.
"Marriage of Many Years," copyright © 2016 by Dana Gioia. Reprinted from "99 Poems: New & Selected" with the permission of Graywolf Press.