Lorine Niedicker

 

My Life by Water

My life
      by water—
            Hear

spring's
      first frog
            or board

out on the cold
      ground
            giving

Muskrats
      gnawing
            doors

to wild green
      arts and letters
            Rabbits

raided
      my lettuce
            One boat

two—
      pointed toward
            my shore

thru birdstart
      wingdrip
            weed-drift

of the soft
      and serious—
            Water