What Could Such Glory Be If Not a Heart?

November 20, 2007 in Contemplative, Land/earth, Poetry | 6 comments

okeefew.jpg
Georgia O’Keefe’s version

The Red Poppy

The great thing
is not having
a mind. Feelings:
oh, I have those; they
govern me. I have
a lord in heaven
called the sun, and open
for him, showing him
the first of my own heart, fire
like his presence.
What could such glory be
if not a heart? Oh my brothers and sisters,
were you like me once, long ago,
before you were human? Did you
permit yourselves
to open once, who would never
open again? Because in truth
I am speaking now
the way you do. I speak
because I am shattered.

Louise Gluck

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6 comments

  1. citrus’s avatar

    citrus on November 20, 2007 at 3:33 pm

    Very nice. Thank you!
    Roger

  2. Aria’s avatar

    Aria on November 20, 2007 at 6:00 pm

    Very in your face. I like it.

  3. suburbanlife’s avatar

    suburbanlife on November 21, 2007 at 1:35 am

    Absolutely gorgeous and moving – so fragile! G

  4. the individual voice’s avatar

    the individual voice on November 22, 2007 at 10:04 pm

    Lovely poem, especially with one of my favorite O’Keefe paintings that I posted once on my blog, just by itself. I’m trying my hand at poetry, very beginner level, so thanks for the inspiration.

  5. Deborah Barlow’s avatar

    Deborah Barlow on November 24, 2007 at 12:39 am

    IV,
    It’s an exquisite poem IMHO. And good luck with your sojourn in that rag and bone shop…

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