Heart and Clock
  1. Now the sky begins to turn upon its hub—
    the sun; each leaf revolves upon its stem;
    now the plague of watches and of clocks nicks away
    the day—
    ten thousand thousand steps
    tread upon the dawn
    ten thousand thousand wheels
    cross and criss-cross the day
    and leave their ruts across its brightness;

    the clocks
    drip
    in every room—
    our lives are leading from the places,
    and the day's brightness dwindles into stars.
  2. If my days were like the ants,
    I might carry away this mountain;
    therefore, you must be precious to me,
    seconds;
    let them step and stamp upon you as they can,
    I shall escape with a few grains.
  3. EVENING
    The dark green leaves
    of grass, bushes, and trees—
    the jays are hushed
    I see no squirrel scamper;
    but the street lamps along the winding path
    burning brightly
    the work of man is not yet over.
  4. How pleasant
    the silence of a holiday
    to those who listen
    to the long dialogue of heart and clock.


      -Charles Reznikoff


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