for some
it is stone
bare smooth
as a buttock
rounding
into the crevasse
of the world
for some
it is extravagant
water mouths wide
washing together
forever
for some
it is fire
for some air
and for some
certain only of the syllables
it is the element they
search their lives for
eden
for them
it is a test
Lucille Clifton (USA, 1936 – 2010) from Quilting: Poems 1987-1990. Copyright © 1991 by Lucille Clifton (BOA Editions Ltd.)
Source: Poetry Foundation