In another world - poem
Anne PorterIt was the second decade Of our century When I began my life Large patches of the former century Lingered like snow in April
Cities were quiet Though sometimes in the night The tomcats quarreled The only sounds by day Were the clip-clop Of horses' feet The chirp of sparrows
And in the alleys RAGS BONes AND BOTTLES The rag-man's cry
The casks of beer and ale The lumber and the coal Gravel and blocks of stone Were hauled in heavy wagons By teams of slow Colossal horses
The streams were clear The forests all around us Were deep and strong And no one knew That Nature could be wounded.
COPYRIGHT 1994 Commonweal Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group