Out of the Many, One Creed
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
A thousand hilltops
And neon’s autumnal leaves,
One transparent brook.
~ Shiki (Englished by Phillip Whidden)
Montpelier, Vermont, USA town skyline in autumn.
Hills rise above Montpelier, Vermont,
Perhaps not quite a thousand (but beyond
Them, yes, beyond). They act as commandant
To preach our heights. The leaves all correspond,
High voltage colors in the fall, to teach
Us something, though that doctrine is unclear.
It seems they need a foil to help us reach
The way. We focus on the things most near
And miss the point. Their multitudes of fact
Mislead us. Maybe something single leads
Us to the stun-like precept. They distract
From saint-like truth. The many make false creeds.
Shut all the many, all against one creek.
Cut hills and leaves. Let clearest streamlet speak.
~ Phillip Whidden