Poetry Friday--"The Matrix"

"The Matrix," by Amy Lowell, has a fantastic opening. The first four lines concisely describe the way work divides up our time, yet, are these bits of our life the "matrix" upon which a richer life is built?

The Matrix

Goaded and harassed in the factory
    That tears our life up into bits of days
    Ticked off upon a clock which never stays,
Shredding our portion of Eternity,
We break away at last, and steal the key
    Which hides a world empty of hours; ways
    Of space unroll, and Heaven overlays
The leafy, sun-lit earth of Fantasy.
    Beyond the ilex shadow glares the sun,
    Scorching against the blue flame of the sky.
Brown lily-pads lie heavy and supine
    Within a granite basin, under one
    The bronze-gold glimmer of a carp; and I
Reach out my hand and pluck a nectarine.

This week's Poetry Friday Round-Up is being hosted by Great Kid Books.

If you've read any great new books of children's poetry this year, consider nominating one for the Cybils award. Click here for more information--but do it soon, nominations end on the 15th.

Photo by foodiesathome.com.