Part for the Whole

--Robert Francis

When others run to windows or out of doors

To catch the sunset whole, he is content

With any segment anywhere he sits.

From segment, fragment, he can reconstruct

The whole, prefers to reconstruct the whole,

As if to say, I see more seeing less.

A window to the east will serve as well

As window to the west, for eastern sky

Echoes the western sky. And even less—

A patch of light that picture-glass happens

To catch from window-glass, fragment of fragment,

Flawed, distorted, dulled, nevertheless

Gives something unglassed nature cannot give:

The old obliquity of art, and proves

Part may be more than whole, least may be best.