Black Bull of Norroway
by Jane Yolen
1.
East of the Sun
I am the bull dancer,
over the horns,
iron shoes glancing
off your stony hide,
striking fire.
2.
West of the Moon
Even in the storied night,
I come to you, the dream of you,
your white flesh replicating
the moon’s bleached face.
Can you feel me when I touch
your head, your tail,
your massive horns?
3.
Second Star to the Right
Your sleep is so deep,
I know it is enchantment.
I know it is death.
I touch a finger to your throat,
Not even a hummingbird
flutters beneath.
4.
Straight on Until Morning
That is how I left you,
how you left me,
the straight line, flat line,
with no ever-afters,
though there had been much happiness
before I had to wake without you
New York Times best-selling author Jane Yolen is often called "the Hans Christian Andersen of America." She is the author of over 360 published books, including Owl Moon, The Devil's Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight. The books range from rhymed picture books and baby board books, through middle grade fiction, poetry collections, non-fiction, graphic novels, and up to novels and story collections for young adults and adults. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages.
Her books, stories, and poems have won an assortment of awards: two Nebulas, a World Fantasy Award, a Caldecott Medal, the Golden Kite Award, three Mythopoeic awards, two Christopher Medals, a nomination for the National Book Award, and the Jewish Book Award, among many others. She is also the winner (for body of work) of the World Fantasy Association Lifetime Achievement Award, Science Fiction Poetry Association Grand Master Award, the Catholic Library’s Regina Medal, the du Grummond Medal, and the Smith College Medal. She was the first woman to give the St Andrews University’s Andrew Lang lecture since the lecture series was started in 1927. Six colleges and universities have given her honorary doctorates. Also worthy of note, her Skylark Award — given by NESFA, the New England Science Fiction Association — set her good Scottish coat on fire.
Her favourite fruits are Gala apples and Madjool dates. If you need to know more about her, visit her website.
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