Poetry Out Loud

poems available for 24 hours

Gift | W.S. Merwin

I have to trust what was given to me

if I am to trust anything

it led the stars over the shadowless mountain 

what does it not remember in its night and silence

what does it not hope knowing itself no child of time

what did it not begin what will it not end

I have to hold it up in my hands as my ribs hold up my heart

I have to let it open its wings and fly among the gifts of the unknown

again in the mountain I have to turn

to the morning

I must be led by what was given to me

as streams are led by it

and braiding flights of birds

the gropings of veins the learning of plants

the thankful days

breath by breath

I call to it Nameless One O Invisible

Untouchable Free

I am nameless I am divided

I am invisible I am untouchable

and empty

nomad live with me

be my eyes

my tongue and my hands

my sleep and my rising

out of chaos

come and be given