The  master

Where the poet stops, the poem

begins. The poem asks only

that the poet get out of the way.

The poem empties itself

in order to fill itself up.

The poem is nearest the poet

when the poet laments

that it has vanished forever.

When the poet disappears

the poem becomes visible.

What may the poem choose,

best for the poet?

It will choose that the poet

not choose for himself.

Donald Hall