Chelsea Cartwright's Page

This poem by Aaron Kramer is the poem appetizer for Barbara Kingsolver's book "Prodigal Summer." It comes from an out-of-print book of poetry called "The Thunder of the Grass."

"Prothalamium"

Come, all you who are not satisfied
as ruler in a lone, wallpapered room
full of mute birds, and flowers that falsely bloom,
and closets choked with dreams that long ago died !

Come, let us sweep the old streets -- like a bride:
sweep out dead leaves with a relentless broom;
prepare for Spring, as though he were our groom
for whose light footstep eagerly we bide.

We'll sweep out shadows, where the rats long fed;
sweep out our shame -- and in its place we'll make
a bower for love, a splendid marriage-bed
fragrant with flowers aquiver for the Spring.
And when he come, our murdered dreams shall wake;
and when he comes, all the mute birds shall sing.

--Aaron Kramer