The still explosions on the rocks,
the lichens, grow
by spreading, gray, concentric shocks.
They have arranged
to meet the rings around the moon, although
within our memories they have not changed.
And since the heavens will attend
as long on us,
you’ve been, dear friend,
precipitate and pragmatical;
and look what happens. For Time is
nothing if not amenable.
The shooting stars in your black hair
in bright formation
are flocking where,
so straight, so soon?
–Come, let me wash it in this big tin basin,
battered and shiny like the moon.
(Elizabeth Bishop)
More Poetry from Elizabeth Bishop:
Elizabeth Bishop Poems based on Topics: Time, Friendship- A Summer's Dream (Elizabeth Bishop Poems)
- I Am in Need of Music (Elizabeth Bishop Poems)
- The Colder The Air (Elizabeth Bishop Poems)
- Giant Toad (Elizabeth Bishop Poem)
- Manuelzinho (Elizabeth Bishop Poem)
- Trouv?e (Elizabeth Bishop Poem)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Time Poems, Friendship PoemsBased on Keywords: moon, straight, spreading, rocks, heavens, dear, soon, big, wash, gray, changed