The fire and the page, the hewed hairs and the swords,
The grains and the millstone, the whispers and the clatter —
God saves all that — especially the words
Of love and pity, as His only way to utter.
The harsh pulse pounds and the blood torrent whips,
The spade knocks evenly in them, by gentle muse begotten,
For life is so unique, they from the mortal lips
Sound more clear than from the divine wad-cotton.
Oh, the great soul, I’m bowing overseas
To you, who found them, and that, your smoldering portion,
Sleeping in the homeland, which, thanks to you, at least,
Obtained the gift of speech in the deaf-mute space ocean.
(Joseph Brodsky)
More Poetry from Joseph Brodsky:
Joseph Brodsky Poems based on Topics: Love, Life, Sleep, Soul, Speech, Sleeping, Charity- History of the Twentieth Century (A Roadshow) (Joseph Brodsky Poems)
- From A School Anthology (Joseph Brodsky Poems)
- Two Hours In Reservoir (Joseph Brodsky Poems)
- Letters To The Roman Friend (Joseph Brodsky Poems)
- To The Negotiations In Kabul (Joseph Brodsky Poems)
- Bosnia Tune (Joseph Brodsky Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Life Poems, Soul Poems, Sleep Poems, Charity Poems, Speech Poems, Sleeping PoemsBased on Keywords: evenly, deaf-mute