Wings Pressed in Prayer
August 7, 2010
After reading the following poem by Ted Kooser, I cannot see folded butterfly wings without thinking of praying hands:
Praying Hands
by Ted Kooser
There is at least one pair
In every thrift shop in America,
Molded in plastic or plaster of paris
And glued to a plaque,
or printed in church pamphlet colors
and framed under glass.
Today I saw a pair made out of
lightweight wire stretched over a pattern
of finishing nails.
This is the way faith goes
from door to door,
cast out of one and welcomed at another.
A butterfly presses its wings like that
as it rests between flowers.
August 7, 2010 at 8:42 am
You’ve read his book Delights and Shadows, yes? Isn’t he wonderful? He was on my PhD committee when I graduated in 2009, and I worked with him for years. He’s a great guy. Did you know he’ll draft poems like the one above 30, 40, 50 times to make them as crisp and “simple” as possible? My students always can’t beleive that, thinking his poems are early drafts because they are so “easy.”
August 8, 2010 at 4:50 am
Lovely! I love your title too! I am so glad to have found your blog over at Blotanical. ;>)
August 7, 2018 at 6:24 am
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