So, anyway, he is a phenomenal poet. The sheer variety of
subjects he takes on, and styles, and images and ease of rhyme (when he cares
to rhyme) is just mind-blowing to me. Here's one of my favorite images, which
comes as the last line in a very long poem about bats and, in particular,
chasing a bat out of his house one evening:
Stealthy as a parent, I wrapped it
gently up;
it chirruped, exerting a
questioning pressure
back through the towel like the
throb of a watch.
Up, window. Up, screen. I gave the
bat back
to the night like a cup of water
to the sea.
Man, it's poems like this that make me despair of ever being
a poet—and yet, it's poems like this that make me wonder if maybe I could be
one. Because of the way I resonate when I encounter that one, perfect image
("like a cup of water to the sea"). There must be something poetic in
me to be able to get such joy from a turn of phrase like that, right?
My dream: to hear someday that someone loved an image of
mine as much as I love this one.
2 comments:
Ok, then, here goes.
Years ago I read your poem "Umbilical Cord." Your poem touched me in a way that nothing outside of scripture has. And yes, I LOVE the image of this poem; everything about this poem. I reread it often. Each time I read it, I feel closer to my husband and more respectful and appreciative of his Priesthood. Thank you so much for writing it.
A few years later, I found your blog through a link of a friend (Chris Bigelow). It wasn't until many months later that I realized you were the author of "Umbilical Cord." Since then I have followed your blog. I admire you so much for your devotion to your craft and talent.
Devani
Wow, thank you, Devani. You made my day. Maybe even my year. I was just talking to a good friend last night about why I keep trying to write a novel even though I know that, deep down, poetry is my thing. I finally admitted that it's just such a lonely job being a poet. No one buys poetry, of course, and hardly anyone reads it. My little existential crisis . . . and you really cheered me up. Thank you so much.
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