Language

W. S. Merwin

Certain words now in our knowledge we will not use again, and we will never forget them. We need them. Like the back of the picture. Like our marrow, and the color in our veins. We shine the lantern of our sleep on them, to make sure, and there they are, trembling already for the day of witness. They will be buried with us, and rise with the rest.

Poems by This Author

For the Anniversary of My Death by W. S. Merwin

My Friends by W. S. Merwin
My friends without shields walk on the target

One of the Lives by W. S. Merwin
If I had not met the red-haired boy whose father

Thanks by W. S. Merwin
Listen

Variation on a Theme by W. S. Merwin
Thank you my life long afternoon

Yesterday by W. S. Merwin
My friend says I was not a good son

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Language

W. S. Merwin

Poems by This Author

Further Reading