Poem by Louise Glück

Archaic Fragment

I was trying to love matter.
I taped a sign over the mirror:
You cannot hate matter and love form.

It was a beautiful day, though cold.
This was, for me, an extravagantly emotional gesture.

.......your poem:
tried, but could not.

I taped a sign over the first sign:
Cry, weep, thrash yourself, rend your garments—

List of things to love:
dirt, food, shells, human hair.

....... said
tasteless excess. Then I

rent the signs.

AIAIAIAI cried
the naked mirror.

1. The Fear of Burial
2. Visitors from Abroad
3. Celestial Music
4. Horse
5. Odysseus' Decision

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