POEM OF THE DAY BY MAURICE MANNING

Bucolics [LIX]
when I see the shadow of the hawk but not the hawk itself do you know what it feels like Boss a stone a stone set on my chest it weighs me down it's stronger than the horse's strain against the plowlines Boss it's like the river after rain I can't hold back the pull the pull that makes me like its heft I even like the shadow's tiny yoke O Boss I feel its curve around my neck I see a flap of wings so black it binds me to the furrows Boss a shadow smarter than the sting of a switch though it is lighter than a feather though it is thinner than a leaf that shadow stone is one of many wonders Boss for all the world it makes me think of you you heavy thing you never move -Maurice Manning