Jeffery Renard Allen's Poetry

Woods Hole: Biologist Ernest Everett Gazing Out from Penzance
Point, Cape Cod

The angels have hung out their robes
and dew from heaven has fallen on them
in a thousand glittering beads
How their eyes shine
Yes, what this time-worn tent reveals in many holey places
Once dire rebellion raged in heaven
The angels sharpened their swords and perhaps sharpen them still
See, over there,
the sparks remain
And the stars are shining
Just to be, like God looking a thousand upon a thousand
down on this world
So it is, I can’t talk
Sorry, I seem to have lost my grip all around

June 6, 2011