In honor of National Poetry Month, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Newtown Poet Laureate Lisa Schwartz is sharing some of her favorite works by local poets.The Beauty (2015), was a finalist for the National Book Award.Standing Deer

This week's selection is "Standing Deer," written by Jane Hirshfield.

"A prolific poet, as well as an essayist and translator," according to Ms Schwartz, Ms Hirshfield has written eight books of poetry and two books of essays. Her most recent book,

Hirshfield was born in New York City.

As the house of a person

in age sometimes grows cluttered

with what is

too loved or too heavy to part with,

the heart may grow cluttered.

And still the house will be emptied,

and still the heart.

As the thoughts of a person

in age sometimes grow sparer,

like a great cleanness come into a room,

the soul may grow sparer;

one sparrow song carves it completely.

And still the room is full,

and still the heart.

Empty and filled,

like the curling half-light of morning,

in which everything is still possible and so why not.

Filled and empty,

like the curling half-light of evening,

in which everything now is finished and so why not.

Beloved, what can be, what was,

will be taken from us.

I have disappointed.

I am sorry. I knew no better.

A root seeks water.

Tenderness only breaks open the earth.

This morning, out the window,

the deer stood like a blessing, then vanished.

-Jane Hirshfield