Because Poetry Month should be longer than a month, I am going to keep it going here at Casa del KatKnits and share with you all another poem from Derek Walcott.
The Rainy Season
For Stephanos and Heather
It is coming with the first drops mottling the hot cement,
the patters budding in the pool, with a horizon
as wide and refreshing as the rain-veiled Georgics,
with the upward swoop of the dove, with the heron
quickening its gawky stride; watch a sail
hide her face in the mist and the barred sun shrivel
into gathering cumuli, those huge clouds
trawling gauze skirts of rain as camera-flashes
of lightning record the rattling thunder
and the lances of drizzle start marching
But nothing can equal
the surge of another’s presence, the separately beloved
whose reign is the rain’s, whose weather is the fragrant darkness
of the parlor, in the kitchen, the lightning’s cutlery.
But O
when the bursting storm rattles the sky’s ceiling
and her body draws closer as a vessel warping
into you, her port, her aisle, and she gently rocks,
her ribs brushing yours, O, on your wedding day
may the worried banners of cirrus fade as the storm moves away.
P.S. Apparently, Apple thinks poetry is pretty great too: “Poetry Is Magic: Poems make your day better. Here’s proof.” Yes, I downloaded a poetry app or two!
That is one sexy poem.
indeed it is! I might even find myself looking forward to a storm just so I can see trawling gauze skirts (oh my)!
That is a wonderful poem! I love his use of language with “huge clouds trawling gauze skirts of rain” and “lightning’s cutlery”. Thanks for keeping the poetry going!
Wow, that is an amazing poem — such vivid imagery!
I wish I’d remember to look for a book of Walcott’s poetry while I was at the bookstore today.
Nice way to celebrate Tuesday. Thanks.
Cheers~