18 May 11
Ground
When the noise of
rapes and gropes and
men in power
(and men not but
wanting it SO MUCH)
gets too loud
I dig.
In earth
softened by
unhoped-for rain,
earthworms teeming
in a second spring,
tilling improbable loads of
well-seasoned manure
in through loam
and silt. Dig.
Mocked blackbirds and
squabbling swallows swirl as
mud gloms on to my
boots and barrow-wheel.
Dig in grief
for women
silenced by fear.
Fork the rage
into the earth,
go gentle.
Dig: invite
all to sit
at an ancient,
wormeaten table,
sharing the harvest.
Wonderful poem.
I heard Michelle Bachelet give a talk on her new role as head of UN Women yesterday. She was very impressive: uncompromising; utterly, humorously, deadly seriously realistic; undaunted; exceptionally human for a politician. It did give one SOME hope.
Thanks, Jean.
Great to hear about Michelle Bachelet; was her talk taped, by any chance?
I keep coming back to this. Thanks.