call the Earth female, as of old.
She needs to be placed pronto
in the recovery position, gently hold
her chin up, bend the left arm at the elbow,
hand above the head, palm facing down
– waving goodbye or hello?
Set the right arm straight and in line
with her side. Quickly tuck the left foot
up against the right knee. Watch for a sign
of breathing. Don't forget to clear out
the mouth, airways. She may need the kiss
of life. She'll recover for sure. Only without
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us maybe. Who then will tell her we miss
her? Who then will tell her how dear she is?
Today’s poem is from Greg Delanty’s latest collection No More Time (Louisiana Stare University Press ). He teaches at St Michael’s College, Vermont.
