Blizzard

Snow:
years of anger following
hours that float idly down -
the blizzard
drifts its weight
deeper and deeper for three days
or sixty years, eh? Then
the sun! a clutter of
yellow and blue flakes -
Hairy looking trees stand out
in long alleys
over a wild solitude.
The man turns and there -
his solitary track stretched out
upon the world.

          - William Carlos Williams

A Love Song

What have I to say to you

When we shall meet?

Yet—

I lie here thinking of you.

The stain of love

Is upon the world.

Yellow, yellow, yellow,

It eats into the leaves,

Smears with saffron

The horned branches that lean

Heavily

Against a smooth purple sky.

There is no light—

Only a honey-thick stain

That drips from leaf to leaf

And limb to limb

Spoiling the colours

Of the whole world.

I am alone.

The weight of love

Has buoyed me up

Till my head

Knocks against the sky.

See me!

My hair is dripping with nectar—

Starlings carry it

On their black wings.

See, at last

My arms and my hands

Are lying idle.

How can I tell

If I shall ever love you again

As I do now?

        - William Carlos Williams

Earthly novelty is too soon dulled

              According to Brueghel
                                           when Icarus fell
                                           it was spring

                                           a farmer was ploughing
                                           his field
                                           the whole pageantry

                                           of the year was
                                           awake tingling
                                           near

                                           the edge of the sea
                                           concerned 
                                           with itself

                                           sweating in the sun
                                           that melted
                                           the wings’ wax

                                           unsignificantly
                                           off the coast
                                           there was

                                           a splash quite unnoticed
                                           this was
                                           Icarus drowning

                                                     - William Carlos Williams