From Dancing in Odessa

[wildflowerfever]

Author's Prayer
- Ilya Kaminsky

If I speak for the dead, I must leave
this animal of my body,

I must write the same poem over and over,
for an empty page is the white flag of their surrender.

If I speak for them, I must walk on the edge
of myself, I must live as a blind man

who runs through rooms without
touching the furniture.

Yes, I live. I can cross the

Comments

[timiathan]

I love Ilya -- I was just doing a class with him on Monday. What a goofy genius...he's the kind of guy you know you'll be telling your grand-kids you knew, you know?

[arielblue]

I have always loved this poem. It's one that I make other people read a lot. :)

[nelmiocuore]

I'd like to read,please! ♥

[wildflowerfever]

Added.