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“December Night” by W. S. Merwin 🇺🇸 (30 Sep 1927 – 15 Mar 2019)
The cold slope is standing in darkness
But the south of the trees is dry to the touch
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The heavy limbs climb into the moonlight bearing feathers
I came to watch these
White plants older at night
The oldest
Come first to the ruins
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And I hear magpies kept awake by the moon
The water flows through its
Own fingers without end
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Tonight once more
I find a single prayer and it is not for men