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The Blacksmith Shop


There were bellows
fastened by shipyard rope
controlled by a foot pedal

The fire was writhing . blazing

Held by tongs
a rail of iron
glowed red
made pliant for the anvil

Hammered into a horseshoe
then dropped in a bucket of water
It sizzled and steamed

And the horses
were hitched to a length of timber
tossing their manes

In the grass by the river
were plowshare and harrows
awaiting repair

Waves of heat
broke over my face
at the entrance

at my back
were white clouds and rain.



Czelaw Milosz (1911-2004)
Translated by Henry Kanabus




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