I came home today to new books, Good Poems for Hard Times and Sleepless Nights (which is for the next Slaves discussion). Of course that didn’t stop me from having a bit of a book splurge tonight. After all two books hardly counts right? So I finally ordered some books from The Book Depository.
I’ll keep you in suspense on the titles but two are Hesperus Press books and the other one is a Persephone book. I hope they arrive soon.
For tonight here is a poem from my new book.
What’s In My Journal
by William Stafford
Odd things, like a button drawer. Mean
things, fishhooks, barbs in your hand.
But marbles too. A genius for being agreeable.
Junkyard crucifixes, voluptuous
discards. Space for knickknacks, and for
Alaska. Evidence to hang me, or to beatify.
Clues that lead nowhere, that never connected
anyway. Deliberate obfuscation, the kind
that takes genius. Chasms in character.
Loud omissions. Mornings that yawn above
a new grave. Pages you know exist
but you can’t find them. Somone’s terribly
inevitable life story, maybe mine.
I love journaling so this poem really spoke to me. It has such vivid imagery and manages to express so much in just a few lines. I think I’ll enjoy my new poetry book quite a bit.
If I kept a journal-that’s the kind I would like to keep!! Can’t wait to hear which books you chose. Isn’t it nice knowing you are going to get some good mail soon? TBD mails each book separately so it is like getting more presents rather than just one box!
Good poem! I guess that’s why it comes from a book with “Good Poems” in the title, huh? As a journaler (and a secret blogger) this one spoke to me too.
Lovely poem. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve ordered from BD; I’ve just receieved an order from them myself. Amazing how fast the shipping is, I always think.
Danielle – Thanks for the heads up on BD! I didn’t know that. I’m so excited I finally ordered through them.
aka Nik – Hee, exactly. It’s a beautiful poem indeed.
Tara – This is my first time ordering through BD. I have a feeling it won’t be my last 🙂
I really like that poem and it is very descriptive. I think I would like a journal just like that as well….full of items that tell long lost stories and new ones to come…
With all this rain – it is a good time to be catching up on reading.
I really like that poem–let us know if you like the rest of the book!
Christine – I had a feeling you might like that one as you love to journal too!
Gentle Reader – I promise to post more poems. There are some wonderful ones too good not to share.
Love the poem – especially perfect for those of us who journal. I will be looking into that book; it’s been a while since I’ve read a poetry volume. I love your site. You’ve always got great suggestions!