Her other poem in that volume, 'A Gift' is also extraordinary.
A Gift
Who is that creature and who does he want? Me, I trust. I do not attempt to call out his name for fear he will tread on me. What do you believe, he asks.
That we all want to be alone, I reply, except when we do not; that the world was open to my sorrow and ate most of it; that today is a gift and I am ready to receive you.
That we all want to be alone, I reply, except when we do not;
I cannot argue with this, and hope I never want to.
Also, you're most welcome Manuela. You have an amazing blog. You're idea to marry poems with a piece of music is great. I only wish I wasn't such a classical music dilettante. I also read some of your poems. Very nicely done.
Thank you, Julian, this has been a very quiet (!) blog, and it is wonderful to have you visit and comment - come and say hi anytime!
I am moved to hear you read some of my poems, and glad you like the combination of music and poetry. I know shockingly little about classical music myself, mostly I go by what feels like the right music for a poem or poem for a piece of music- which is why it would probably be different for someone else, and that's part of the fun.
I searched for info on Kathryn Starbuck, and, my goodness, did she grieve! I was so moved to read how she said she found some joy in the middle of her grief through poetry...
From Poetry (Poetry Foundation), March 2009, Volume cxciii, Number 6, page 517
ReplyDeleteI read this in my university library today.
ReplyDeleteVery moving image of 'a universe of want'
Her other poem in that volume, 'A Gift' is also extraordinary.
A Gift
Who is that creature
and who does he want?
Me, I trust. I do not
attempt to call out his
name for fear he will
tread on me. What do
you believe, he asks.
That we all want to be
alone, I reply, except when
we do not; that the world
was open to my sorrow
and ate most of it; that
today is a gift and I am
ready to receive you.
^_^
And I read your comment in my university library today...
ReplyDeleteI feel like she directs a laser-like gaze on herself - and us.
I'm glad for your visit.
that
ReplyDeletetoday is a gift and I am
ready to receive you.
that is so beautiful, and it has stayed with me today, thanks julian
That we all want to be
ReplyDeletealone, I reply, except when
we do not;
I cannot argue with this, and hope I never want to.
Also, you're most welcome Manuela. You have an amazing blog. You're idea to marry poems with a piece of music is great. I only wish I wasn't such a classical music dilettante. I also read some of your poems. Very nicely done.
I will come back and say hi
Thank you, Julian, this has been a very quiet (!) blog, and it is wonderful to have you visit and comment - come and say hi anytime!
ReplyDeleteI am moved to hear you read some of my poems, and glad you like the combination of music and poetry. I know shockingly little about classical music myself, mostly I go by what feels like the right music for a poem or poem for a piece of music- which is why it would probably be different for someone else, and that's part of the fun.
I searched for info on Kathryn Starbuck, and, my goodness, did she grieve! I was so moved to read how she said she found some joy in the middle of her grief through poetry...