November 2022

With gratitude to Wallace Stevens’
“Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird”

With love from Ama to her granddaughter Phoebe.

I.
Among the Redwoods of Bonny Doon
the only spirit prancing in harmony
was Penny’s.

II.
The horses with hearts as well as
those with shiny black bodies
announced their strength.

Penny could always ride
as others walked the spiral path
thoughtful, listening.

III.
Penny blessed the wind in the breezes.
She spoke with Phoebe to their secret language.

IV.
A horse and a girl were one.
Phoebe was one in that love.

V.
Penny never knew which she preferred —
the kindness of Phoebe’s reception,

Her understanding smile
or the warmth of her open hand.

VI.
Golden leaves fell
covering the ground

With intense pleasure
the soul of Penny crossed

There to and fro. The path
intertwined with joy and sorrow.

VII.
“Oh you who follow sweetness
why do you rush so constantly?”

Stop a moment and you too will feel
Penny’s magic move through the breath

And blood of those you love.

VII.
Phoebe knows the music of the song birds
And the rhythms of the close-by Pacific,

But she knows too that Penny is involved
in all that she knows.

IX.
When Penny’s vision soared
trailing her soft black fur,

She marked the boundaries
of a foal who would be new and stunning.

X.
At the sight of Penny galloping
out in the noon time sun, even the children