December At Yase Poem by Gary Snyder

December At Yase

Rating: 4.3


You said, that October,
In the tall dry grass by the orchard
When you chose to be free,
"Again someday, maybe ten years."

After college I saw you
One time. You were strange,
And I was obsessed with a plan.

Now ten years and more have
Gone by: I've always known
where you were—
I might have gone to you
Hoping to win your love back.
You still are single.

I didn't.
I thought I must make it alone. I
Have done that.

Only in dream, like this dawn,
Does the grave, awed intensity
Of our young love
Return to my mind, to my flesh.

We had what the others
All crave and seek for;
We left it behind at nineteen.

I feel ancient, as though I had
Lived many lives.

And may never now know
If I am a fool
Or have done what my
karma demands.


Anonymous submission.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Shawn Greyling 31 July 2009

It is as if a future version of myself wrote this poem. Gary Snyder, you are a mystic to me.

2 1 Reply
Benjmin C Uy 05 December 2018

Blessed are these good poems They lift these souls to the uncanny heights of poetry

1 1 Reply
Sarah 30 November 2019

This is not the whole poem. This is a section of a beautiful poem called " Four Poems for Robin."

1 1 Reply
Brian Jani 16 May 2014

Gary Amazing showcase of poetry, keep it up

1 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 05 December 2018

Beautiful poem- last stanza like to quote And may never now know If I am a fool Or have done what my karma demands. /// indicates- as you sow so you reap

0 0 Reply
Mahtab Bangalee 08 December 2020

I feel ancient, as though I had Lived many lives./// the feelings of previous birth; a theme of rebirth; now I feel around of me all are my familiar from many years ago!

0 0 Reply
Khairul Ahsan 08 December 2020

What a beautiful poem! I got submerged in it while reading. 'Only in dream, like this dawn, Does the grave, awed intensity Of our young love Return to my mind, to my flesh.' - every word of these four lines sank deep inside me, on this cold, misty December morning. 5 stars***** to this fantastic poem. Glad to see it selected as the 'Classic Poem of the Day'! Congratulations to the poet!

0 0 Reply
Dr Antony Theodore 08 December 2020

And may never now know If I am a fool Or have done what my karma demands. a fine poem. tony

0 0 Reply
Alone Soulmate 08 December 2020

the poem talk to me so many levels

0 0 Reply
Richard Wlodarski 08 December 2020

One of Jack Kerouac's greatest friends. And influences. His lifestyle and religious influence had a profound effect on Kerouac. I wish I knew who he was talking about in this poem. His last stanza reminds me of Pope John Paul II.

0 0 Reply
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