Muriel Rukeyser




Among Roses

Lying here among grass, am I dead am I sleeping
amazed among silences      you touch me never
Here deep under, the small white moon
cries like a dime and do I hear?

The sun gone copper or I dissolve
no touch no touch.     a tactless land
denies my death my fallen hand
silence runs down the riverbeds

One tall wind walks over my skin
                                                        breeze, memory
bears to my body (as the world fades)
                                                             going in
very late in the world’s night to see roses opening
Remember, love, lying among roses.
Did we not lie among roses?