There was no stopping the old pear tree
\nin our backyard. After we released it
\nfrom a staked cord, it stood on the lawn
\nfor a month as if coming to its decision
\nto lie back down on the ground again.
\nAll winter we left it for dead, but in the spring
\nit lay in an island of unmowed grass
\nblooming beside its mate, and this May,
\nwhen I separate their branches
\nand look in, I find new shoots and flowers.<\/p>\n
At the end of my life I want to lie down
\nin the long grass with one arm by my side
\nlifting me up as I reach out to her with all the others
\nand she reaches back. I want to know nothing
\nbut the humming and fumbling of bees
\ncarrying seed dust on their bellies from my blossom
\nto her blossoms in the dome of green shade.\n
Hear Wes McNair read a selection of poems from <\/span>The Unfastening<\/em>.<\/span><\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t