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171st Virtual Poetry Circle

Welcome to the 171st Virtual Poetry Circle!

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Also, sign up for the 2012 Fearless Poetry Reading Challenge because its simple; you only need to read 1 book of poetry. Please visit the stops on the 2012 National Poetry Month Blog Tour.

Today’s poem is from Jane Rosenberg LaForge’s With Apologies to Mick Jagger, Other Gods, and All Women:

With Apologies to Dylan Thomas (page 34)

My funeral swoon was in my
ribs the first time you died:
my supple fix, my lonesome
ambition; and within that
harness of rigor and skin,
I felt at that moment a reed
and its fingers chose to seek
out their height and freedom.
Had they reached my mouth
from the oppression of my heart,
lungs and esophagus, the dewy
and rude things they might
have said: I am through waiting,
I should be celebrating, I
should have shaved my head,
but I lacked the courage.  I
have always been a spectator.
I am essentially a disbelieving
person.  After the first death,
the poet said, the others become
academic, and the shocks my body
now contains are stupendous.

What do you think?

Comments

  1. There is surprise at every turn and great sound and lines I want to take with me: “The dewy / and rude things they might have said.” The poem ends on the right word, the only word: “the shocks my body / now contains are stupendous.” No sentimentality. Just raw feeling well-crafted.

  2. I love the sound of this poem; it’s definitely one I would want to delve deeper into. The first two lines especially are cool.