Apologia

I’d forgotten this one completely. Thanks, yes, it’s mine. It looks like I was writing one a day at this time.
But when I look at my comments now I sound like a pretentious little show off. Six years later, has anything changed? Good question, Steve.

If you don't mind, I will publish your poem on my website. I think that this beautiful poem should be read by other people. In Russia, many people know English, in any case, I will attach a translation.
For me, the measure of poetry is the German modernist Rilke. You have exactly what distinguishes mediocrity from talent - I call it "universal scope".

I don’t mind.

I’m reading more Rilke at the moment. There’s a newly published collection here called Poems to Night.

Here’s something I’ve written just now.

Night Poem

We’re all crushed beneath the weight of his angels,
we’re wheezing for breath.
He’s following us through the subways,
through the shattered streets.
We see him in black puddles
catch his face at windows.
His eyes are blinding.
What does he want from us?
What does he need?
Reparation? What did we do
to him? What did history do?
What did Germany do?
Is it what we didn’t become,
what he tried to teach us?
We slump in our corners,
in our comfortable armchairs,
dejected, wings like lead,
blood on our lips.
Does he still call us?
The streets rattle in our heads
like laughter, like freedom, like death.

Very cool, Steve. You are a real poet. I have published your poem with an accompanying article in two languages - Russian and English. Here is the link. I don't have many readers, the blog doesn't have much time, and it's not promoted, but there are visitors.

mariarainer.ucoz.ru/blog/steve_bucknell_apologia/2024-03-22-89