Poem - Gary Snyder

The last of the month in celebration of National Poetry Month. Hopefully you have enjoyed these postings as I've enjoyed rediscovering many of these. There are so many excellent poets of the world. I hardly even touched those who write music (only 1 - by Patti Smith - and for her I posted an actual poem written before she was known to the world as a rock star). I've alternated male and female poets all month and attempted to add some diversity to their backgrounds and the decades when their poems appeared. Anyhow, one last one:

December At Yase

You said, that October,
In the tall dry grass by the orchard
When you chose to be free,
"Again someday, maybe ten years."

After college I saw you
One time. You were strange,
And I was obsessed with a plan.

Now ten years and more have
Gone by: I've always known
where you were—
I might have gone to you
Hoping to win your love back.
You still are single.

I didn't.
I thought I must make it alone. I
Have done that.

Only in dream, like this dawn,
Does the grave, awed intensity
Of our young love
Return to my mind, to my flesh.

We had what the others
All crave and seek for;
We left it behind at nineteen.

I feel ancient, as though I had
Lived many lives.

And may never now know
If I am a fool
Or have done what my
karma demands.