TO MARK ANTHONY IN HEAVEN

by: William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)

HIS quiet morning light

reflected, how many times

from grass and trees and clouds

enters my north room

touching the walls with

grass and clouds and trees.

Anthony,

trees and grass and clouds.

Why did you follow

that beloved body

with your ships at Actium?

I hope it was because

you knew her inch by inch

from slanting feet upward

to the roots of her hair

and down again and that

you saw her

above the battle's fury--

clouds and trees and grass--

 

For then you are

listening in heaven.

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