By Christopher Buckley
Like the poor, they are with us always . . .
what they lack in beauty is theirs
in good cheer—tails like pump handles
lifting them first among songsters, chiding
city light or roadside to evening’s praise.
Gristmills, hardy gleaners, but for them
the weeds and thorns would find us wanting.
Ragmen to the wind, Sophists of the twig,
they pause to bathe in the ample dust,
and accept the insect as relish to the seed.
So it is becoming to not be too fastidious
when you are rapidly inheriting the earth.
Christopher Buckley has lived in Santa Barbara since 1952 and it has always been a source of inspiration. Star Journal: Selected Poems, The Far Republics, and The Pre-Eternity of the World, are recent books of poetry. His memoirs are Cruising State, Sleep Walk, and Holy Days of Obligation. Also by this poet: "Sparrows" and "Blossoms"