I have been mulling over what to share with you on National Poetry Day, and have had a lovely time this week flicking through some of the volumes of poetry on my shelves to find something suitable. I settled on this poem by Heidi Williamson. Heidi is a very talented poet who has had residencies in the London Science Museum and also the John Jarrold Printing Museum in Norwich. The poem I have chosen to Celebrate National Poetry Day with is ‘Permanent’. It is from her second collection of poetry entitled The Print Museum. Each time I read this tender poem I am moved. A very good reason to share it I believe. You can find out much more about Heidi Williamson here. In the mean time read her beautiful poem and then read it all over again!
Permanent
Yesterday we forgot to study the leaves
and the open air. We tried to remember
our marriage vows. In the garden, the snow
brought winter in autumn. The earth stretched
with the tides of the moon – its mantle shifted
beneath our feet. I wondered if we belonged
to this house. Whether we would spill over
to another. Have the time for other lives.
I felt rested when I woke today. The snow
was lessening. The blackbirds rummaged
for fat worms and found them repeatedly.
You stood behind me at the window
as we watched the stars in the early light
fade from view, engulfed – unquenched.
Heidi Williamson
