Cut the Grass

A. R. Ammons

 Next Poem          

The wonderful workings of the world: wonderful,
wonderful: I'm surprised half the time:
ground up fine, I puff if a pebble stirs:

I'm nervous: my moarality's intricate: if
a squash blossom dies, I feel withered as a stained
zucchini and blame my nature: and
when grassblades flop to the little red-ant
queens burring around trying to get aloft, I blame
my not keeping the grass short, stubble

firm: well, I learn a lot of useless stuff, meant
to be ignored: like when the sun sinking in the
west glares a plane invisible, I think how much

revelation concealment necessitates: and then I
think of the oecean, multiple to a blinding
oneness and realize that only total expression
expressed hiding: I'll have to say everything
to take on the roundness and withdrawal of the deep dark:
less than total is a bucketful of radiant toys.

Next Poem 

 Back to A. R. Ammons
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors


To be able to leave a comment here you must be registered. Log in or Sign up.

Comments2
  • roxannabath535

    A.R. Ammons' depiction of nature's intricacies, both humorous and profound, truly resonated with me. "If a squash blossom dies, I feel withered as a stained zucchini and blame my nature" portrays self-doubt, guilt, and human fragility beautifully.

    • kamala

      Just read a piece by A.R. Ammons. Made me think bout how everyday things like grass and ants say a lot about life. It's deep, man. Anyone get the bit about the "radiant toys" though?