​Miró’s Intention, by David M. Katz

The Table (Still Life With Rabbit), by Joan Miro (Spain) 1920-1921.

​Miró’s Intention 

To get to that space where the world falls away,
The canvas stares at the viewer like arrows

            While the viewer stares like a target.
            It is the painting looking at you.

That specific painting, looking at just you.
At the top of the table, there’s a rooster.

            The rooster, live, uncooked, in Catalan.
            Look at the living fish, on a plate in Spain.

In a Spain no viewer has ever been,
A plant-like mother is the nation’s anchor,

            A fish-like father is the nation’s water.
            A beautiful bird reveals the unknown, 

Reveals the unknown to a pair of lovers --
An unseen bird, as the world falls away.

David M. Katz

David M. Katz’s books of poems include Stanzas on Oz and Claims of Home, both published by Dos Madres Press. He’s also the author of The Warrior in the Forest, published by House of Keys Press. Poems of his have appeared in The Hudson Review, Poetry, The Paris Review, The New Criterion, The Hopkins Review, and The Cortland Review.  He is currently working on a new poetry collection, tentatively entitled Money. He lives on New York City's Upper West Side. ​
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