The Master by Donald Hall

  

Illustration by Triunfo Arciniegas

THE MASTER

by Donald Hall

 

Where the poet stops, the poem
begins. The poem asks only
that the poet get out of the way.

The poem empties itself
in order to fill itself up.

The poem is nearest the poet
when the poet laments
that it has vanished forever.

When the poet disappears
the poem becomes visible.

What may the poem choose,
best for the poet?
It will choose that the poet
not choose for himself.

Summer Kitchen by Donald Hall

 

«Summer Kitchen»

by Donald Hall

In June’s high light she stood at the sink
With a glass of wine,
And listened for the bobolink,
And crushed garlic in late sunshine.

I watched her cooking, from my chair.
She pressed her lips
Together, reached for kitchenware,
And tasted sauce from her fingertips.

«It’s ready now. Come on,» she said.
«You light the candle.»
We ate, and talked, and went to bed,
And slept. It was a miracle.