“They have come gladly out of the willows”

The Poem
A Blessing - James Wright

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl’s wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

The Beverage
Really Good Barbecue Sauce

I saw a lot of bears today while hiking, and I really felt this poem even without touching the beautiful things. Yes, I know they eat trash and basically can be like large raccoons. They are beautiful anyway.

Well, after hiking in Shenandoah, we stopped for bbq (this is what it said on the sign) in Warrenton, and I would have guzzled the sauce. Spicy, sweet, tangy, vinegary. Excellent barbecue sauce offers it all.

I know that this is a nontraditional beverage, but it cannot be more controversial than when I chose ice cream last year. If I would drink it, then it’s a beverage.

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