Poem: “Under Glass” by Alfred Kreymborg via Poets.org (Public Domain)
Photo: “Anartia Jatrophaé Jatrophaé” by dany13 via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
If I could catch that moth,
that fluttering, wayward thing
that beats about inside me all the day and half the night,
(an insignificant net could certainly do it)
I’d stick him through the head
with a pin that’s long and thing,
a pin that long and strong enough to mount him under glass;
(an insignificant pin could certainly do it)
I’d learn of him once for all,
the color of his wings,
the nature of those crazy things that fooled me all these years:
purple, red or blue,
yellow, white or black,
and whether they’re one and all of these and a shade or two besides;
(an insignificant harmony or dissonance they could be)
I’d learn them once for all,
I’d know them, every vein,
so clear to all my neighbors, so invisible – to me.
Poetry is becoming a more and more important part of my prayer life, and it seems that’s the case for no few people in my circle. But my beloved Poetry Magazine isn’t copyright compliant for this site, so I’ve been surfing the Public Domain collections of sites like Poets.org.
Yesterday in the laundromat I fell under the spell of Alfred Kreymborg (1883-1966). Decided to share this poem about the relative impossibility of knowing ourselves—at least that’s what I took away. How about you? Wish you could put yourself under glass and see what others see?
Related Prayer
61. A Prayer of Self-Dedication (BCP, Public Domain)
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue
Just what you’d think: a book of poetic blessings. Incredibly beautiful, even just the cover.