Night-Piece

By Charles Reznikoff 1894–1976 Charles Reznikoff

I saw within the shadows of the yard the shed

and saw the snow upon its roof—

an oblong glowing in the moonlit night.

I could not rest or close my eyes,

although I knew that I must rise

early next morning and begin my work again,

and begin my work again.

That day was lost—that month as well;

and year and year for all that I can tell.

From The Poems of Charles Reznikoff by Charles Reznikoff, edited by Seamus Cooney. Reprinted by permission of Black Sparrow Books, an imprint of David R. Godine, Publisher, Inc. Copyright 2005 by Charles Reznikoff.

Source: Poems 1918-1975: The Complete Poems of Charles Reznikoff (Black Sparrow Press, 1977)

Biography

Emerson remarked that the best writers often have the shortest biographies. The genius “draws up the ladder after him,” and the world, which had consigned him to obscurity during his lifetime, “sees the works and asks in vain for a history.”

Whatever judgment may ultimately be passed upon him, not much more than his works is ever likely to be known of Charles Reznikoff. He left no fervent disciples. The record he wished to . . .

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