Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOOL'S ERRAND, by JAMES GALVIN


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FOOL'S ERRAND, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Alone, like a feather in the air
Subject(s): Beauty; Cactus; Clowns; Girls


Alone, like a feather in the air,
An occasional sadness the weather knows
Comes to earth as a bend in the road.

The winter is at its most instructive
As other sadnesses fall
Across the democracy of objects.

Those that aren't shy
Introduce themselves --
Fool's Errand, Clowns of Anguish --

The Equitation of Beautiful Young Girls
Is an exemplary sadness,
As is The Whale's Parasol.

I want to part company
With linear extent,
Congenital heartbreak,

Where the raven goes and snow comes from.
I want distance washed clean,
Unencumbered by facts;

The red cactus flower
To slip into my shirt at dusk
And be the heart's boat.

I want Clowns of Anguish to raise the sail,
And a white handkerchief
Waving from shore.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org




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