let yourself be bound to fire

'Illuminated memory, vague gallery where
dwells the shadow of my hope. It is not
truth that will come. It is not truth that
will not come.

She leaps with her shirt in flames
star to star.
From shade to shadow.
She is the one who dies a distant death
the one in love with the wind.

she says she does not understand about the panic of the death of love
she says she is afraid of the death of love
she says love is death is the panic
she says death is the panic is love
she says she doesn't understand

Life, life of mine, let yourself fall, let yourself feel
agony, life of mine, let yourself be bound to fire,
to raw silences, to green rocks in nighttime's
house, let yourself fall and feel this agony,
my life of mine.'



Alejandra Pizarnik (from The Tree of Diana)
tr. Zachary Jean Chartkoff

elementals

For the elements brought forth abundantly
The living Soul in glorious forms; and every one came forth,
Walking before her Shadowy face and bowing at her feet.
But, in vain, delights were poured forth on the howling Melancholy!

William Blake

for Susan Kruse, in homage to her work with rain, wind and fire

...

oh the blooming forest -
into the blue time of my blood
come, dip your fingers.


.
.

it's Spring!

from morning

till evening

softness of the world

what better place

I remember the temple, this route I've travelled before,
I recall the bridge as I cross it again.
It seems the hills and rivers have been waiting,
The flowers and willows all are selfless now.
The field is sleek and vivid, thin mist shines,
On soft sand, the sunlight's colour shows it's late.
All the traveller's sorrow fades away,
What better place to rest than this?


Du Fu (Travelling Again)