In a field
I am the absence
of field.
This is
always the case.
Wherever I am
I am what is missing.
When I walk
I part the air
and always
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body's been.
We all have reasons
for moving.
I move
to keep things whole.
He both believes in keeping it simple [simple words, simple phrases, no meter, no rhyme], and making it as deep and surreal and overflowing with meaning as possible. It's like he has a split personality... come to think about it, so do we all.
This a poem of depth of meaning, although it seems simple. A fine poet of modern times.
I have enjoyed reading this fine piece of poetry yet again. The profoundness of the subject inspired me to translate it in Hindi way back- on Dec 5,2016. Thanks.
This I wether He parts the air or moves us is certainly the One whole in itself and keeps the field whole too. Enjoyed this excellent poetic intake of Upanishadic philosophy.
I like this even more than I liked it when I first commented on it. Teaches us how simple words can carry an impressive impact and meaningfulness.
I wonder what, if any, applications Strand had in mind beyond the literal meaning of this poem. -GK
in Italian: 'Tenere le cose insieme' In un campo Io sono l'assenza del campo. E' sempre così. Ovunque io sia Sono ciò che manca. Quando cammino sposto e separo l'aria e sempre l'aria rientra a riempire lo spazio che il mio corpo occupava. Tutti noi abbiamo motivi per spostarci. Io mi muovo per tenere le cose insieme.