NaPoWriMo -- April 21

Today’s poem is offered from Elaine Olssen: 

“I chose this poem because of its strange and arresting images, phrases that fire my imagination and break my heart, and the idea that I am sharing a seat on this train with others “listening” and “seeing” in the dark.”

Station  by Li-Young Lee: 

 

Your attention please.

Train number 9, The Northern Zephr,

destined for River’s End, is now boarding.

All ticketed passengers

please proceed to the gate marked Evening.

 

Your attention please.  Train number 7,

Leaves Blown By, bound for The Color of Thinking

and Renovated Time, is now departing.

All ticketed passengers may board

behind my eyes.

 

Your attention please.  Train number 4, The Twentieth Century,

has joined The Wind Undisguised to become The Written Word.

 

Those who never heard their names

may inquire at the uneven margin of the story

or else consult the ivy

lying awake under our open window.

 

Your attention please.  The Music,

arriving out of hidden ground

and endlessly beginning, is now the flower,

now the fruit, now our cup and cheer

under branches more ancient

than our grandmother’s hair.

 

Passengers with memories of the sea

may board leisurely at any unmarked gate.

 

Fateful members of the foam may proceed to azalea.

 

Your attention please.

Under falling petals never think about home.

Seeing begins in the dark.

Listening stills us.

Yesterday has gone

ahead to meet you.

 

All the light-bearing tears may be exchanged

for the accomplished wine.

 

Your attention please.  Train number 66

Unbidden Song, soon to be

the full heart’s quiet, takes no passengers.

 

Please leave your baggage with the attendant

at the window marked Your Name Sprung from Hiding.

 

An intrepid perfume  is waging our rescue.

 

You may board at either end of Childhood.

 

 

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