Having Lost My Sons, I Confront The Wreckage Of The Moon: Christmas, 1960

After dark Near the South Dakota border, The moon is out hunting, everywhere, Delivering fire, And walking down hallways Of a diamond.

Behind a tree, It ights on the ruins Of a white city Frost, frost.

Where are they gone Who lived there?

Bundled away under wings And dark faces.

I am sick Of it, and I go on Living, alone, alone, Past the charred silos, past the hidden graves Of Chippewas and Norwegians.

This cold winter Moon spills the inhuman fire Of jewels Into my hands.

Dead riches, dead hands, the moon Darkens, And I am lost in the beautiful white ruins Of America.

Keep reading

Discover more of James Wright’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 1 comment

Add your reading ↓
Readers
1
Longest reading
Shannan29 words
  1. Shannan United States

    Please be aware that there are a few problems with the typing of these poems. In the second stanza, the second line, the word is "lights", not "ights".
    thanks

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.