Wake: Up to Poetry
"The act of poetry is a rebel act."
Poem of the Week: “Silences” by John Montague
This poem is from John Montague’s latest volume, due out in mid-April. It’s dedicated to his wife. Enjoy!
Silences
for Elizabeth
1
Poetry is a weapon, and should be used,
though not in the crudity of violence.
It is a prayer before an unknown altar,
a spell to bless the silence.
2
There is a music beyond all this,
beyond all forms of grievance,
where anger lays its muzzle down
and into the lap of silence.
3
Or some butterfly script,
fathomed only by the other,
as supple fingers draw
a silent message from the tangible.
–John Montague, from Speech Lessons (2009)