(in memoriam Donald Davie, 1922-1995)
A small closed space of hunch
and stoic tremble, a bush or
boulder and may well be,
but not before an older
possibility closes the distance
between madness and grief.
The ragged mollyvane who quivers
over him, aware that cries
carry on the shivering wind,
is companion and poorest consolation.
Grief unsweetened with knowledge
of the next blow from heaven.