A poem that I love

[Mira]

Let me preface this by saying that I ADORE poetry- reading it, writing it, hearing it. It absorbs me more than most things and takes me out of myself, and yet is short enough for me to absorb in small chunks. Here is a poem that I always think describes what goes on in my head:

 

"Pursuit" by Stephen Dobyns

 

Each thing I do I rush through so I can do
something else. In such a way do the days pass -
a blend of stock car racing and the never
ending building of a gothic cathedral.
Through the windows of my speeding car, I see
all that I love falling away: books unread,
jokes untold, landscapes unvisited. And why?
What treasure do I expect in my future?
Rather it is the confusion of childhood
loping behind me, the chaos in the mind,
the failure chipping away at each success.
Glancing over my shoulder I see its shape
and so move forward, as someone in the woods
at night might hear the sound of approaching feet
and stop to listen, then, instead of silence
he hears some creature trying to be silent.
What else can he do but run? Rushing blindly
down the path, stumbling, struck in the face by sticks;
the other ever closer, yet not really
hurrying or out of breath, teasing its kill.

 

[roxanne]

I died for beauty, but was scarce

Adjusted in the tomb,

When one who died for truth was lain,

In an adjoining room.

 

He questioned sofly why I failed?

"For beauty," I replied.

"And I for truth - the two are one;

We brethren are," he said.

[Ashley N.]

Emily Dickinson is one of my favorites! I used to read her poems all the time as a kid/young teenager.

[roxanne]

I love a lot of the women poets: Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sara Teasdale, Emily Dickinson, Amy Lowell.

[Ashley N.]

Haven't read that poem before. Love the imagery in it. :D I enjoy poetry as well, but I haven't been reading a lot of it lately. I don't know what type of poetry ya'll prefer, but there's a great book called A Book of Women Poets: From Antiquity to Now, that covers poetry from all around the world.

[Mira]

:)

[roxanne]

That is wonderful.  I, too, LOVE poetry, but I didn't know this one.  

I will think about this one a while, and then add more comments.  Then add another poem.