A Blessing Poem by James Arlington Wright

A Blessing

Rating: 3.8


Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more, they begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Joel Samkins 30 October 2009

This guy is super gay

87 72 Reply
John Rogers 07 September 2010

Nearly 40 years ago, I was privileged to hear Mr. Wright read this poem at a poetry 'festival' in Evanston, Illinois, that was also attended by James Tate and Andrienne Rich. While there were many fine readings that evening, I have no doubt everyone in attendance remembers the special, magical silence that followed these verses. Breathtaking beauty. Lifechanging words.

32 9 Reply
Sarah Kester 27 May 2009

This is my very favorite poem in all the world. It is so beautiful and about pure, perfect love. James Wright wrote it for Anne Sexton. I just love it!

23 10 Reply
Peter Stavropoulos 04 August 2007

A rich poem. Enriching everyone it touches. Truly a blessing.

19 9 Reply
laela private 04 January 2009

How absolutely beautiful your writing is. It makes me imagine in my mind that I am right there, hearing it, smelling it and seeing it. I hope that one day I would be able to bring enjoyment to someone by my writings. wonderful work

16 9 Reply
Bharati Nayak 13 December 2022

There are some deeper moments when soul wants to hop out of the body and touch the beauty.A surreal feeling that has been expressed in the last line

0 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 23 November 2019

blessings come, come with love alone blessings come, come with small or big alone blessings come, come with the day or night alone blessings come, come with you or me alone blessings come, come with life or death alone blessings come, come because of human or still I'm alive

0 0 Reply
Indira Renganathan 19 February 2017

Admiration...appreciation...and of course blessing...excellent poem

0 0 Reply
Bernard F. Asuncion 19 February 2017

Interesting poem.... thanks for sharing....

0 1 Reply
Paul Brookes 19 February 2017

What a killer of a last line sometimes on does feel like this breaking out into blossom beautifully penned some could learn, including me, from this. Simple can be extremely complicated.10+++++

1 0 Reply
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