The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #165894   Message #3984775
Posted By: Bonnie Shaljean
27-Mar-19 - 11:19 AM
Thread Name: Obit: farewell message from Amos Jessup
Subject: RE: Obit: Amos Jessup farewell
I have just now opened my email and found this in my inbox. It's from the Library of America newsletter, in honour of the poet W. S. Merwin, who died earlier this month:


For the Anniversary of My Death

Every year without knowing it I have passed the day
When the last fires will wave to me
And the silence will set out
Tireless traveler
Like the beam of a lightless star

Then I will no longer
Find myself in life as in a strange garment
Surprised at the earth
And the love of one woman
And the shamelessness of men
As today writing after three days of rain
Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease
And bowing not knowing to what

- W. S. Merwin