David Ignatow poems
David Ignatow(7 February 1914 - 17 November 1997 / Brooklyn/ New York)
For My Daughter
- by David Ignatow 84
When I die choose a starand name it after me
that you may know
I have not abandoned
or forgotten you.
You were such a star to me,
following you through birth
and childhood, my hand
in your hand.
When I die
choose a star and name it
after me so that I may shine
down on you, until you join
me in darkness and silence
together.
The Bagel
- by David Ignatow 77
I stopped to pick up the bagelrolling away in the wind,
annoyed with myself
for having dropped it
as if it were a portent.
Faster and faster it rolled,
with me running after it
bent low, gritting my teeth,
and I found myself doubled over
and rolling down the street
head over heels, one complete somersault
after another like a bagel
and strangely happy with myself.