Ghazals

is a poetic form of which I hadn't heard until I picked up Robert Bly's newest volume.   I will be lazy and let someone else explain it.

B

Bach's B Minor Mass

The old Germans step inside Trinity Church.
The tenors, and sopranos, and altos and the horns
Say:  "Do not be troubled.  Death will come."

The basses reach down into their long coast
And give bits of dark bread to the poor, saying
"Eat, eat, in the shadow of Jethro's garden."

We all know about the old promise
That the orphans will be fed.  The oboes say,
"Oh, that promise is too wonderful for us!"

(looking towards Santa Cruz, Summer 09)

Don't worry about the sea.  The tidal wave that
Wipes out whole cities is merely the wood thrush
Lifting her wings to catch the morning sun.

We know that God gobbles up the Faithful.
The Harvesters on the sea floor are feeding
All those ruined by the depth of the sea.

Our oak will break and fall.  Even after their tree
Has splintered and fallen in the night, once
Dawn has come, the birds can do nothing but sing.