W.S. Merwin : "The Heart"

 

In the first chamber of the heart

all the gloves are hanging but two

the hands are bare as they come through the door

the bell rope is moving without them

they move forward cupped as though 

holding water

there is a bird bathing in their palms

in this chamber there is no color

In the second chamber of the heart

all the blindfolds are hanging but one

the eyes are open as they come in

they see the bell rope moving 

without hands

they see the bathing bird

being carried forward

through the colored chamber

In the third chamber of the heart

all sounds are hanging but one

the ears hear nothing as they come through the door

the bell rope is moving like a breath

without hands

a bird is being carried forward

bathing

in total silence.

In the last chamber of the heart

all the words are hanging

but one

the blood is naked as it steps through the door 

with its eyes open

and a bathing bird in its hands

and with its bare feet on the sill

moving as through on water

to the one stroke of the bell

someone is ringing without hands

The Essential  W.S. Merwin

Edited by Michael Wiegers

Copper Canyon Press, 2017