all the history of grief

Archibald MacLeish "Ars Poetica" (1926)

A poem should be palpable and mute As a globed fruit, Dumb As old medallions to the thumb, Silent as the sleeve-worn stone Of casement ledges where the moss has grown -- A poem should be wordless As the flight of birds.                     * A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs, Leaving, as the moon releases Twig by twig the night-entangled trees, Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves, Memory by memory the mind -- A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs.                     * A poem should be equal to Not true. For all the history of grief An empty doorway and a maple leaf. For love The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea -- A poem should not mean But be.