An Error in Geography
I.
But either to ask
who possessed
large
vessels
eloquent songs (otherwise
be lacking).
That by going Southward
seventh part of earth water.
A seaman discovers takes
fire
and imagination.
It is the precise location of the island.
I use his instruments
take its longitude and latitude.
A simple navigator
mark its exact place on his map.
We sail round it in a bark
aught else.
II.
Or as his part of
earth.
I gathered from them
persimmons, and balls of cotton thread.
I have shore and trees
unalterable geography.
(A geometrical theorem.)
Once taken more
protested against.
And now four hundred years
for all the ships of Christendom.
There are shoals (withinside), but
the water is as smooth as the bottom
of a well.
III.
I come to refute the dreams of others.
They intimate by signs
the days of their voyage.
This land. These
legends.
Principality of their dead.
What strange magic and Mexico by sea.
House of feathersBlue-bird
Tapestry
against the walls in graceful hanging.
It is her hands plucking.
Weaving. We are
here now.
To make choicest mosaic.
Heavy rains descended
and the frog songsceased.
IV.
She came and went
enspelled trembling.
A mirror deepsilhouette.
The lark accompanies.
These months of fire and snowlight
indoors at evening.Unceasing
it seeks us as we close our books.
This our purgatory of broken fences
and the sycamore as lightening rod.