When I Was Young the Silk

Portrait of A.R. Ammons
A.R. Ammons 1926–2001

When I was young the silk of my mind hard as a peony head unfurled and wind bloomed the parachute:

The air-head tugged me up, tore my roots loose and drove high, so high

I want to touch down now and taste the ground I want to take in my silk and ask where I am before it is too late to know

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