Friday Poem: "Lesson One"

Lesson One

The lesson of objects
Is they do not mean
There is no wisdom in a thorn
Even if you bleed
No absolution in a stone
Though it be smooth
Stars neither dream nor grieve
The owl does not frown
No paragon of patience is the oak
Things do not teach or sign

Put mooing approbation by  Be strong
Your seeming mysteries are hollow
Nature although wonderful is shallow
Even the grandest poet may be wrong

7/21-8/3/96, 6/30/02

Copyright 1996, 2002 by Maurice Leiter

Posted with permission.