The tail of the Scorpion
a light-static

over the road,
an old barn water-logged.

Then wind, northwest,
the clouds baled to the east,

and now the whole
covenant of stars:

the Dolphin’s jack;
the Dragon we traced at school;

the Lady in Chains,
who suffered, who was fair;

  

and stunned at last
the scythes of Herculean limbs.

  

And here the shut
petals of chaste houses,

  

the last fall of rain
left to the pines.

A Message from the Editors

Your donation sustains our efforts to inspire joyous rediscoveries.

This article originally appeared in The New Criterion, Volume 15 Number 8, on page 37
Copyright © 2024 The New Criterion | www.newcriterion.com
https://newcriterion.com/issues/1997/4/june-night