DUO AS THE LIGHT IS GOING
Those two go on with what they are saying
at the ends of their long
lengthening shadows
while the sun sinks in silence
the one gesturing is Painted On
boasting even in silhouette
to Burned In who in response
says not a thing
— W.S. Merwin, from his book The Moon Before Morning (Copper Canyon Press). Copyright © 2014 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.