“from everywhere, from nowhere” ~ R. H. Blyth

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

I hand the cosmos over to your heart

And hand.  Why not?  I do not have the power

To give it to you, but because pure heart

Deserves pure universe, this one white flower —

I flourish it for you.  If it were noon

In spring, if it were height of April day,

And if I could send to you a see-through moon,

I would.  I would.  If I could send a spray

Of baby’s breath and stars across the dawn

To linger in your mid-day heart, I would.

If night and daybreak and the noon were drawn

Together, I would hand them, if I could.

  Yet I cannot.  Instead I give you what

    I have.  I give you what my heart has caught.

© Phillip Whidden