Keeping Things Whole – Mark Strand

[1934–current, born Canada, has lived in North, South and Central Americas]

In a field 
I am the absence 
of field. 
This is 
always the case. 
Wherever I am 
I am what is missing. 

When I walk 
I part the air 
and always 
the air moves in 
to fill the spaces 
where my body’s been. 

We all have reasons 
for moving. 
I move 
to keep things whole.

Source: Strand, M, 2002, Selected Poems, Random House.