Little Zebras

1 years ago

nn027

@nn027

Little Zebras

The more I read

the more books

resemble little zebras

their spines bend under the thumb

anticipating the riders

they won't buck off.

Books worthy of the black row

are worthy of words,

those worthy of words

are worthy of the white space,

those worthy of white space

are worthy of experience

tamed for the ages

the thin gaps between lines;

without books,

no padded lining

for a winter coat.

The more I read, the less

I know about poetry . . .

The more inept hunter of little zebras I become

along the soft slopes of knees and table legs.

In the realm of the well-read,

the wise and adept

examine the zebra's teeth, measure the width of her thighs

and assess her stock,

I seek the sweep of her tail,

the play of her black and white stripes . 

Ana Ristović