A 1950s Florida Day and July 20 and 21, 1969

A 1950s Florida Day and July 20 and 21, 1969

Winged ants fly

From a small house

At the foot of Mount Fuji.

 

~ Buson

 

The clapboard house shines white in afternoon

Brevard in sunlight.  There in front are green

And orange from the flame vine.  There’s no moon

Above these flowers and leaves.  A distant scene

So far across the future that’s unknown,

A scene encompassing the moon and men,

The little blond-haired boy at play alone

Could not foresee.  Trajectoried amen

Across the cratered surface up above

Was not included in the sight of wings

Upon the blossoms, tonguing nectar love.

That day no hint of lunar futures sings.

  The little things, those leaves, and blooms, and blond—

    And bees— do not perceive the launch beyond.

Phillip Whidden