Speech Alone

It happens that one pronounces 
a few words just for oneself
alone on this strange earth
then the small white flower
the pebble like all those that went before
the sprig of stubble
find themselves re-united 
at the foot of the gate
which one opens slowly
to enter the house of clay
while chairs, table, cupboard, 
blaze in a sun of glory.

From Transparence of the World by Jean Follain, translated by W. S. Merwin. Translation copyright © 2003 by W. S. Merwin. Reprinted by permission of Copper Canyon Press. All right reserved.