to a solitary disciple

by william carlos williams

rather notice, mon cher,

that the moon is 

tilted above

the point of the steeple

than that its color

is shell pink

rather observe

that it is early morning

than that the sky 

is smooth 

as a turquoise.

rather grasp

how the dark 

converging lines

of the steeple

meet at the pinnacle–

perceive how its little ornament

tries to stop them–

see how it fails!

see how the converging lines

of the hexagonal spire

escape upward–

receding, dividing!

–sepals

that guard and contain

the flower!

observe

how motionless

the eaten moon

lies in the protecting lines

it is true:

in the light colors

of the morning

brown-stone and slate

shine orange and dark blue.

but observe 

the oppressive weight 

of the squat edifice!

observe

the jasmine lightness

of the moon.