BACK WHEN THE SMALLEST BREEZES, MELTED SUMMER INTO AUTUMN

october 14, 2015

“Back when the earth was new and heaven just a whisper,

Back when the names of things hadn’t had time to stick;

back when the smallest breezes, melted summer into autumn,

when all the poplars quivered, sweetly in rank and file…

the world called, and I answered. Each glance ignited to a gaze.

I caught my breath and called that life, swooned between spoonfuls of lemon sorbet.

I was pirouette and flourish, I was filigree and flame.

How could I count my blessings when I didn’t know their names?

Back when everything was still to come, luck leaked out everywhere.

I gave my promise to the world, and the world followed me here.”

– RIta Dove, “Testimonial”