I’m Going to Start Living Like a Mystic
Today I am pulling on a green wool sweater
and walking across the park in a dusky snowfall.
The trees stand like twenty-seven prophets in a field,
each a station in a pilgrimage—silent, pondering.
Blue flakes of light falling across their bodies
are the ciphers of a secret, an occultation.
I will examine their leaves as pages in a text
and consider the bookish pigeons, students of winter.
I will kneel on the track of a vanquished squirrel
and stare into a blank pond for the figure of Sophia.
I shall begin scouring the sky for signs
as if my whole future were constellated upon it.
I will walk home alone with the deep alone,
a disciple of shadows, in praise of the mysteries.
–Edward Hirsch
Love this poem. Hirsh’s new book of poems, The Living Fire, was reviewed by Peter Campion in the New York Times Book Review last Sunday.
A gorgeous poem. I’m looking forward to reading the new collection.
The naturalness and authentic simplicity is ever so peaceful. I too look forward to reading the new collectionl
Long one, but a good one! I like all of your answers