Marble Converse

by Ruth Berman

People used to talk to stones more,

Listen to them—

Now only geologists—

Fossil hunters, especially, when slate calls

Over here! one of you fleeting mortals—

Molded in good solid past.

Some shamans, too, some idol-worshippers,

Some sculptors

Know how to hold still long enough

To grow stone-minded

Lose their jittery burgeoning

And hear the stones.