Working Knowledge
A human being needs some pride in knowing Some thing that he himself can verify, If it’s no more than the proper time for hoeing And planting beans, or how to still the cry Of newborn things; he needs decisive acts That keep his knowledge clear-cut and unblurred, To hold him steady in the midst […]
The Song Beyond
It always seemed to her, her whole life through, There was a song that only she could sing Waiting a little way beyond the blue Clear air of evening gentled by the wing Of one white bird, a little way beyond The haze that lay forever on her hills; A song to which men’s spirits […]
After Failure
The careful, unremitting work I did has not availed. I gave my best to one large task, And now I know I failed. Today I’ll do the little things, The things I can do best. I’ll do the little, easy things And give my heart a rest. A dozen little things, well done, Will lighten […]