'It begins in childhood'

“I believe that poetry begins in childhood and that a poet who can remember his own childhood exactly can, and should, communicate to children.” – William Jay Smith

 

Born in Louisiana on April 22, 1918 Smith was U.S. Poet Laureate from 1968-70, the first Native American to hold the post.  He also served as longtime Poet-in-Residence at Williams College and wrote 50 books of poetry, including the multiple award-winning children’s book Laughing Time.   For Saturday’s Poem, here is Smith’s,

 

      The World Below The Window

The geraniums I left last night on the windowsill,
To the best of my knowledge now, are out there still,
And will be there as long as I think they will.

And will be there as long as I think that I
Can throw the window open on the sky,
A touch of geranium pink in the tail of my eye;

As long as I think I see, past leaves green-growing,
Barges moving down a river, water flowing,
Fulfillment in the thought of thought outgoing,

Fulfillment in the sight of sight replying,
Of sound in the sound of small birds southward flying,
In life life-giving, and in death undying.