Lorine Niedecker

In moonlight lies
          the river passing—
it's not quiet
          and it's not laughing.
I'm not young
          and I'm not free
but I've a house of my own
          by a willow tree.

 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-


What horror to awake at night
and in the dimness see the light.
          Time is white
          mosquitoes bite
I've spent my life on nothing.
The thought that stings. How are you, Nothing,
sitting around with Something's wife.
          Buzz and burn
          is all I learn
I've spent my life on nothing.
I've pillowed and padded, pale and puffing
lifting household stuffing—
          carpets, dishes
          benches, fishes
I've spent my life in nothing.


Poems by Lorine Niedecker  are from the book "Lorine Niedecker: Collected Works" edited by Jenny Penberthy, published by the University of California Press, 2002 used with permission by the University of California Press.