of Earth of Merwin

of Earth of Merwin

for W. S. Merwin, September 30, 1927 – March 15, 2019

Even though the whole world is burning

question not the equinox’s rise in the turning

of Earth of Merwin evangelist of nature giving alms

to autodidactic Orpheus of presence raining light

on a sun worshipper’s reflection in droplets on palm

leaves turning volcanic sands of time on a strong night

for I was there in the breeze searching in the shadow

of Sirius for you searching for the compass flower

talking to the trees just as a father calls from windows

beckoning his children to the sweetness of morning

pineapple melting over your mouth preserving butterflies

washed in colours of afterlife showered in your words of power…