Poems

To Wallace Stevens

By Peter Halstead

for Peter Van Etten on the day when his age
finally equals his month times his day

So mornings live then, in their growing,
Summer backyards smoothly mowing;

So gardens give, their rows repeating
Seeds’ and season’s early seating:

So awnings thrive, their faded run
Legitimized by drifting sun;

So day arrives, and in its coming,
Celebrates the planets, humming.

May 29th, 1996