Plowing It Under

DABNEY STUART

PLOWING IT UNDER

How is the darkness dark, or the light, light?

And how do we see by either the hand

Raised, or held out? When we give, do we uncage

Reasons for a new life, or ride again

Instinct, that tired horse, back to his stall?

Does

Everything tend by nature toward the dumb fork

That says to us One way or the other?

Hard questions, if you take them seriously;

Only a fool ignores them, though, or a clod;

Do we bring form to the world, or does the world

Guide us through its maze? How will you know

Even if you find the true color, and your hand

Settles perfectly on its body, which is which?