PROVISION
All morning with dry instruments
The field repeats the sound
Of rain
From memory
And in the wall
The dead increase their invisible honey
It is August
The flocks are beginning to form
I will take with me the emptiness of my hands
What you do not have you find everywhere
–W. S. Merwin from his book The Lice (1967), recently published in a 50th Anniversary Edition by Copper Canyon Press. Copyright © 2017 by W. S. Merwin. Used by permission of the publishers, www.coppercanyonpress.org.
To browse through our archive of previously posted Poems of the Week, click here.
To support the preservation of W.S. Merwin’s legacy and our efforts to preserve his home and palm forest for future generations, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to The Merwin Conservancy.
Michael Bever says
exquisite.
Julie Pittman says
Aloha, This is marvelous…all week I’ve been thinking about and listening to that dry grass sound and the rustling of the palm leaves in the gentle August breeze.
cheat head soccer says
Amazing blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a
paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused
.. Any recommendations? Appreciate it!
Merwin Conservancy says
Thank you! We use WordPress and love it. Good luck!