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hi all

jane hirshfield is another of my heroes

janet



Each Moment a White Bull Steps
Shining into the World

     If the gods bring to you
     a strange and frightening creature,
     accept the gift
     as if it were one you had chosen.

     Say the accustomed prayers,
     oil the hooves well,
     caress the small ears with praise.

     Have the new halter of woven silver
     embedded with jewels.
     Spare no expense, pay what is asked,
     when a gift arrives from the sea.

     Treat it as you yourself
     would be treated,
     brought speechless and naked
     into the court of a king.

     And when the request finally comes,
     do not hesitate even an instant

     Stroke the white throat,
     the heavy, trembling dewlaps
     you'd come to believe were yours,
     and plunge.

     Not once
     did you enter the pasture
     without pause,
     without yourself trembling.
     That you came to love it, that was the gift.

     Let the envious gods take back what they can.


     Jane Hirshfield
     Five Points
     Volume II, Number 1
     Fall 1997

janet paterson - 51 now /41 dx /37 onset - almonte/ontario/canada
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