Reactions to Poetry; p17

Early December in Croton-on-Hudson

Spiked sun. The Hudson’s
Whittled down by ice.
I hear the bone dice
Of blown gravel clicking. Bone-
pale, the recent snow
Fastens like fur to the river.
Standstill. We were leaving to deliver
Christmas presents when the tire blew
Last year. Above the dead valves pines pared
Down by a storm stood, limbs bared . . .
I want you.

The very beginning, talking about a spiked sun and whittled down ice, makes me think of an icy place at the end of the day before going on to “I hear the bone dice” to, “pale, the recent snow” makes me think of gambling. Then “Fastens like fur to the river” to “Last year.” makes me think of a possible job this person may have. And then the last few lines, “Above the dead valves pines pared,” to “I want you.” makes me think of a man going home, seeing the person he loves. But, I’ve also heard other things where this poem is about missing someone or something, but, whatever, I guess.

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