This week’s poem by Lea Beiermann (History Department) reminded me of what Sir Philip Sydney (English poet, 1554-1586) said about the purpose of poetry, ‘to instruct and to delight’. Lea conjures up the power of language and words, and reminds us of the importance of learning, of embodiment and of nature.
Keep sending your art, photos, poems and short fiction (both staff and students!) to Sally (sally.wyatt@maastrichtuniversity.nl).
Lea Beiermann
WILDFIRE SEASON
In a year I have learned
three new languages.
The first a language of numbers and probabilities,
the likelihood of childhood friends crossing paths
at night. I have measured
the velocity of January light,
the butterfly effect of a handshake.
The second a language moving
from my hands to my face and back:
either a frown heavy with what my hands used to say,
or my hands fluttering like fledgling birds
learning to fly in formation.
The third language a mother tongue,
a soft trickle of cooing sounds soothing
a small animal in the woods,
born just a day before
wildfire season.
