object of activity

From: Mike Cole (mcole@weber.ucsd.edu)
Date: Sat May 20 2000 - 17:03:11 PDT


I encountered the following brief poem by Wallace Stevens. It reminded
me a lot of the way Yrjo talks about the motives/objects of activity.
And even if it doesn't do the same for you, maybe it will do something
else nice.
mike
-----

Of Mere Being

The palm at the end of the mind,
Beyond the last thought, rise
In the bronze distance,

A gold-feathered bird
Sings in the palm, without human meaning,
Without human feeling, a foreign song.

You know then that it is not the reason
That makes us happy or unhappy.
The bird sings. Its feathers shine.

The palm stands on the edge of space.
The wind moves slowly in the branches.
The bird's fire-fangled feathers dangle down.



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