Poetry: Stammersong, by Ursula K. Le Guin

[luzula]

People's poetry posts are inspiring me, so here you go: this is one of my favorite poems. I'm writing it down from memory, so hopefully I haven't changed it in my head.

Stammersong, by Ursula K. Le Guin

I have a different way, I have a different will,
I have a different word to say
I am coming back by the road around the side, by the outside way,
from the other direction

There is a valley, it has no borders
There is a river, it has no banks
There are people, they have no bodies,
dancing by the river in the valley

I have drunk the water of that river
I am drunk my life long, my tongue is thick,
and when I dance I stumble and fall over
When I die I will come back by the outside road
and drink the water of that river and be sober

There is a valley, high hills around it
There is a river, willows on its shores
There are people, their feet are beautiful
dancing by the river in the valley

Comments

[springwoof]

thank you! love LeGuin

[luzula]

So do I! When I was going through Portland, I totally checked to see if she'd be doing a reading or signing or anything. But no.