FOR A BLANK BOOK
I have a peculiar
leaf shaped ears
my fur is
forest coloured
when your flesh
first uttered words
I lost understanding
you said I attend
stone and not flesh
source and not blood
bread and not bone
your flesh
your blood
your bone
which brings you to
mistrust of me
and all the while
the stone bleeds
the source calls your name
the bread is broken
but you cannot see
or hear
or taste
listen then, my love,
to the wind blowing
and the sound of breath
over the grassy forest floor
but know I did not bend
to the right or to the left
all the while
that I loved you
Copyright © 1985 Joy Kogawa. All rights reserved.
leaf shaped ears
my fur is
forest coloured
when your flesh
first uttered words
I lost understanding
you said I attend
stone and not flesh
source and not blood
bread and not bone
your flesh
your blood
your bone
which brings you to
mistrust of me
and all the while
the stone bleeds
the source calls your name
the bread is broken
but you cannot see
or hear
or taste
listen then, my love,
to the wind blowing
and the sound of breath
over the grassy forest floor
but know I did not bend
to the right or to the left
all the while
that I loved you
Copyright © 1985 Joy Kogawa. All rights reserved.