ARS POETICA
A poem should be palpable and mute
As a globed fruit, 
Dumb
As old medallions to the thumb, 
Silent as the sleeve-worn stone
Of casement ledges where the moss has grown- 
A poem should be wordless
As the flight of birds. 
A poem should be motionless in time
As the moon climbs, 
Leaving, as the moon releases
Twig by twig the night-entangled trees, 
Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves,
Memory by memory the mind- 
A poem should be motionless in time
As the moon climbs. 
A poem should be equal to:
Not true. 
For all the history of grief
An empty doorway and a maple leaf. 
For love
The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea- 
A poem should not mean
But be.
Archibald MACLEISH

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