Hedgehog by Paul Muldoon
I found this poem, not surprisingly, in the Norton Anthology of Contemporary Poetry. It’s short and to the point, and I really like it. I have no trouble picturing the taciturn hedgehog. I don’t know that I agree with the final sentiment, but it’s a great poem nonetheless.
Hedgehog
By Paul Muldoon
The snail moves like a
Hovercraft, held up by a
Rubber cushion of itself,
Sharing its secret
With the hedgehog. The hedgehog
Shares its secret with no one.
We say, Hedgehog, come out
Of yourself and we will love you.
We mean no harm. We want
Only to listen to what
You have to say. We want
Your answers to our questions.
The hedgehog gives nothing
Away, keeping itself to itself.
We wonder what a hedgehog
Has to hide, why it so distrusts.
We forget the god
Under this crown of thorns.
We forget that never again
Will a god trust in the world.
Current Tea: Honey Bee tea (black tea with sweet honey flavor from honey bee pollen)
