Kathleen Raine, 'Paradise Seed'

[duathir.livejournal.com]

Paradise Seed

Where is the seed
Of the tree felled,
Of the forest burned,
Or living root
Under ash and cinders?
From woven bud
What last leaf strives
Into life, last
Shrivelled flower?
Is fruit of our harvest,
Our long labour
Dust to the core?
To what far, fair land
Borne on the wind
What winged seed
Or spark of fire
From holocaust
To kindle a star?

by Kathleen Raine

Comments

[bleodswean.livejournal.com]

WOWOWOWOW!!!! So understated and yet it's all right there!

[duathir.livejournal.com]

Sad and hopeful at once - I am glad you like it too.

Do you watch war_poetry? There are more poems there you may enjoy.