'Timeless offerings'

 

“The kinds of things that poetry can offer are timeless – mainly the kind of compression it offers of powerful language, powerful feelings and images, and, you know, the inner experiences becoming outer.” – Brenda Hillman

 

Born in Tucson, Ariz. in March of 1951, Hillman has received numerous awards and fellowships including a Pushcart Prize and the Delmore Schwartz Memorial Award.  Her collection Bright Existence was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and Loose Sugar a finalist for the National Book Critic’s Circle Award.   For Saturday’s Poem, here is Hillman’s,

 

                                                                 Glacial Erratics

                                             The last ice age had been caused by a wobble.

                                             After it passed they made houses from stars;

 

                                             Visitors would peer in

                                             And see the tongs not slipping,

 

                                             Roomsized pebbles having been moved far.

 

                                             It’s like this more

                                             When we speak than when we write;

 

                                             Loving thus we have been

                                             Loved by ground,

 

                                             The word being

                                             A box with four of its corners hidden;

 

                                             Everything else is round.