The Cranes

“Where along the migratory way” /

Where along the migratory way
These cranes may also stop
I can not say.
The river's a dozen miles from here,
But twice, sometimes more,
Each year
They drop,
A fleet of sails
On a sea
Of grass,
Like manna and the quails
Come from some other land
To say,
"This way! This way!"

Phyllis Tickle (1934-2015) was founding editor of the religion department of Publishers Weekly and author of several books, including the series The Divine Hours. This poem first appeared in her last book, Hungry Spring & Ordinary Song: Collected Poems (Paraclete Press, 2015). Used with permission of Tickle, Inc.

Follow The Behemoth on Twitter and Facebook.

Also in this Issue

Issue 47 / April 28, 2016
  1. Editor's Note from April 28, 2016

    Issue 47: A good, dreadful covenant mark; wine’s life from grapes’ decay; and nature’s remedy. /

  2. Why Did God Choose Circumcision?

    The hopeful, beautiful, and terrible reason for the drastic covenant. /

  3. Wine, Wine, Wine!

    We’ve turned dying fruit into a durable drink for millennia but only recently understood it. /

  4. How Nature Soothes the Soul

    Scientific evidence for the benefits of outdoor recreation. /

  5. Wonder on the Web

    Issue 47: Links to amazing stuff.

Issue Archives