One of the ancient maps of the world
is heart-shaped, carefully drawn
and once washed with bright colors,
though the colors have faded
as you might expect feelings to fade
from a fragile old heart, the brown map
of a life. But feeling is indelible,
and longing infinite, a starburst compass
pointing in all the directions
two lovers might go, a fresh breeze
swelling their sails, the future uncharted,
still far from the edge
where the sea pours into the stars.
Ted Kooser (USA, 1939) courtesy Poetry Motion (MTA Art&Design and Poetry Society of America)
Listen here the poem read by the poet or browse his website to learn more: http://www.tedkooser.net