Collected Poems of John Holmes
Holmes, John A., Jr.
2002
You have an interesting mind
You have an interesting mind
Have traveled it fifty years. The far Borders on might return from wise Have sighted only, but know how steep they are. Twice looked over. Even now, inside my eyes Shut, can bring back printed plain What's down there. Words for it, no. Vain. Played around mirrors, saw my yellow darken Long before it grayed, said my father's sound In my throat, echo to make a man hearken. Wandered northeast of Unitarianism, found Myself following me, putting foot down strong On my boot-marks, or his, the stride long. Poetry drifted this landscape, signal smoke From the burning that never dies, rising A running body of air shaping its cloak. Orders given, if the voices advising Have been loud, have fallen on me rain And dried. Of all effort, noise is vain, Have listened. They say I seem not to hear, Face shows nothing. Tree-bark, or rock. But because wherever I am, I am too near, Listening to blood-beat and beating clock. In my country the silences make song. In my country distances are very long. | |