Page 136 - Dark Matter Women Witnessing

Cynthia Anderson

Invoking the Salamander

So we will walk on the ruins of a vast sky,

The far-off landscape will bloom

Like a destiny in the vivid light.

The long-sought most beautiful country

Will lie before us land of salamanders.

—Yves Bonnefoy

I. Visitation

Indian summer, season of dust.

I vacuum blinds and behind

louvered doors, where I find

the salamander—tiny, lean,

built like a racecar, almost

blending into the carpet.

I take a napkin from the table,

scoop up the interloper,

shake him out the front door.

He stands on the concrete,

looking straight at me,

wide-mouthed and wide-eyed,

defiant as a boxer. I go back

inside, turn my thoughts

to the next room.

II. Dream

There’s a keepsake box

I’ve had since childhood