Nevertheless

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

The skylark sining ripples the clouds.  ~ Seien

The skylark penetrates the clouds or mist

Not just with beak and body, feathers, wings

And even claws.  His melodies consist

Of tininess of sound waves as he sings

Among the microscopic droplets.  They

In turn are penetrated by his notes

Though nearly like in whispers as nuns pray,

So whispered that vibrations from their throats

Are almost spiritual, not physical.

The subtlety is more like pink in gauze

Of silk, and almost metaphysical

Like mystics singing psalms in physics’ laws.

  But still the singing causes ripples, slight

    Like angels’ breathing in their satin flight.