The Blessing of the Old Woman, the Tulip, and the Dog

-
by Alicia Suskin Ostriker

To be blessed
said the old woman
is to live and work
so hard
God's love
washes right through you
like milk through a cow

To be blessed
said the dark red tulip
is to knock their eyes out
with the slug of lust
implied by
your up-ended
skirt

To be blessed
said the dog
is to have a pinch
of God
inside you
and all the other dogs
can smell it


please note: artwork by Scott Burdick, Moravian Barn

Comments

  1. debraDecember 30, 2009 at 5:24 AM

    My dogs are surely blessed.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. CarolineDecember 30, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    Thank you! Wishing you a blessed New Year!
    Love Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  3. dsDecember 31, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    Oh, she's a wonderful poet, Ms. Ostriker! Thank you for this. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete

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Hey, thanks for your thoughts and your time:>)

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