Louise Gluck

As I perceive

I will not speak again, will notsurvive the earth, be summonedout of it again, nota flower yet, a spine only, raw dirtcatching my ribs, I call you,father and master: all around,my companions are failing, thinkingyou do not see. Howcan they know you seeunless you save us?In the summer twilight, are youclose enough to hearyour child’s…

Don’t listen to me; my heart’s been broken.

I know myself; I’ve learned to hear like a psychiatrist.When I speak passionately,That’s when I’m least to be trusted.It’s very sad, really: all my life I’ve been praisedFor my intelligence, my powers of language, of insight-In the end they’re wasted-I never see myself.Standing on the front steps. Holding my sisters hand.That’s why I can’t accountFor…

Dawn

Child waking up in a dark roomscreaming I want my duck back, I want my duck backin a language nobody understands in the least —There is no duck.But the dog, all upholstered in white plush —the dog is right there in the crib next to him.Years and years — that’s how much time passes.All in a dream. But the…

In your extended absence, you permit me

some return on investment. I must reportfailure in my assignment, principallyregarding the tomato plants.I think I should not be encouraged to growtomatoes. Or, if I am, you should withholdthe heavy rains, the cold nights that comeso often here, while other regions gettwelve weeks of summer. All thisbelongs to you: on the other hand,I planted the…