In Strength Sweetness

in the wind / an inky air

in the air / finchness

in the ink / a stone

in the winter / winter

in the nest / in the piney

in the tree / filigree

in the great / bye and bye

in the worm / William Blake

in the fall / fortune

in the ocean / a figure

in canvas / the grain

in the apartment / a body

in the mountain / its making

in the cottage / a fable

in the mind / its miniature

in the seed / a sun

in the fist / a question

in the question/ an expedition

in the expedition / a bank

in the dollar / a seal

in the seal / another seal

in the sand /  a massacre

in the blood / spirit

in the word / your mouth

in the tale / its labyrinth

in the lion / the bee

in the bee / a plain

in the plan / a city

in your city / its anger

in your anger / a harbor

in your harbor / a boat

in the boat / open sea
Elizabeth Willis, "In Strength Sweetness" from Address. Copyright © 2011 by Elizabeth Willis.  Reprinted by permission of Wesleyan University Press.
Source: Address (Wesleyan University Press, 2011)
More Poems by Elizabeth Willis