Heaven For Stanley Poem by Mark Doty
Heaven For Stanley
For his birthday, I gave Stanley a hyacinth bean,
an annual, so he wouldn't have to wait for the flowers.
He said, Mark, I have just the place for it!
as if he'd spent ninety-eight years
anticipating the arrival of this particular vine.
I thought poetry a brace against time,
the hours held up for study in a voice's cool saline,
but his allegiance is not to permanent forms.
His garden's all furious change,
budding and rot and then the coming up again;
why prefer any single part of the round?
I don't know that he'd change a word of it;
I think he could be forever pleased
to participate in motion. Something opens.
He writes it down. Heaven steadies
and concentrates near the lavender. He's already there.
I have come back to read this a few times today and each time I have visited I have fallen for this beautiful poem. 'but his allegiance is not to permanent forms. His garden's all furious change' And... 'I think he could be forever pleased to participate in motion. Something opens. He writes it down. Heaven steadies and concentrates near the lavender. He's already there. So impressed by the movement and change images in your poem
His garden's all furious change, budding and rot and then the coming up again; I think he could be forever pleased.... // Beautifully articulated philosophy of life. Thanks.
There's nothing like wisdom and experience.Life may be repetitive but it also packs many surprises..a ten..
Reminds me of the song HEAVEN popularized by BRYAN ADAMS... Thanks for posting👍
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/22/2024 1:40:31 PM # 1.0.0.1119
a fine piece, only a little blurringly built around the idea of healthy letting go. Anti-confessional. Avoids dull romantic yawp.