ALLEN GROSSMAN
Weird River
We sit down on the rocks above a river,
Like three crows in a ruin. Star Asper burns
In the pure heaven. The voice of the Star
Utters one law:
You //lust account Jar ellerybody.
The night is cold and getting colder. Dawn,
Far away. -Suddenly the first crow asks,
"How shall I start?" The burning Star replies
"Look down. What do you see?" The first crow says,
"It's cold enough to snow." "You can't
see
cold,"
Says the Star. "OK, I see a girl washing
A corpse," says Crow One. "Also, a big dog."
-By this time, the other crows are getting restless.
They want to say something. But the night wind
Is cold and makes a loud sound. -"Was this ruin
Ever whole and a flourishing house... ?"
Whispers the second crow under his breath.
The burning Star sighs. He can hear small sounds.
"This place was always a ruin, where gather
All souls in flocks toward the wild migration
From life to life in the same world." Star Asper
Smiles down on the tumult at the dark river.
Then the second crow, having found a hollow
In the ruined wall, quickly falls asleep
And cries in his dreams. -Crow Three says, "Look, Star,
One law is too many. I can't do it."
"Then I'll add another law," says Star Asper
In a great voice:
No other hook thall YOURS!
-The dog howls at the light. Frightened by the
Dog, the three crows flyaway. And rosy Dawn,
In tears, is heard to say: "Weird river, flow on."
