The last fires

This morning Phil and I went to a mass for a coworker of mine.  And while I did not know him well, it always has an impact on you to go hear about someone’s life.  I have two things that keep coming into my head, one is a poem by W.S. Merwin that I love, and another is the Crosby Stills Nash and Young song “Carry On.”  Now maybe they will be in your head too. 

Check out www.csny.com and forward through the recordings to Carry On. 

For The Anniversary Of My Death

W.S. Merwin

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For The Anniversary Of My Death
W.S. Merwin
poem
The Lice
1967
–>

Every year without knowing it I have passed the day

When the last fires will wave to me

And the silence will set out

Tireless traveller

Like the beam of a lightless star

Then I will no longer

Find myself in life as in a strange garment

Surprised at the earth

And the love of one woman

And the shamelessness of men

As today writing after three days of rain

Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease

And bowing not knowing to what

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