Louise Gluck Poems

Is that an attitude for a flower, to stand
like a club at the walk; poor slain boy,
is that a way to show
...

Two women with
the same claim
came to the feet of
the wise king. Two women,
...

A child draws the outline of a body.
She draws what she can, but it is white all through,
she cannot fill in what she knows is there.
Within the unsupported line, she knows
...

It came to me one night as I was falling asleep
that I had finished with those amorous adventures
to which I had long been a slave. Finished with love?
...

I asked for much; I received much.
I asked for much; I received little, I received
next to nothing.
...

One summer she goes into the field as usual
stopping for a bit at the pool where she often
looks at herself, to see
...

Remember that time you made the wish?

I make a lot of wishes.

The time I lied to you
...

All day I tried to distinguish
need from desire. Now, in the dark,
I feel only bitter sadness for us,
...

Small light in the sky appearing
suddenly between
two pine boughs, their fine needles
...

The elements have merged into solicitude,
Spasms of violets rise above the mud
And weed, and soon the birds and ancients
...