This was the blessing:
at last to be something
so necessary—
and soft tongues
of animals that pass,
a form of praise.
Because I dared to cherish
with a look
ordinary things
that fall to loss,
the god behind
the masks of god
loved me more
than all apocalyptic men.
Leslie Ann Minot has published poetry or translations in The Chicago Review, New Letters, The Red Rock Review, quarrtsiluni, and neon geyser/porcelain sky. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College.