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260th Virtual Poetry Circle

Welcome to the 260th Virtual Poetry Circle!

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

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s book 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.

Today’s poem is from Another World Instead: The Early Poems of William Stafford 1937-1947, edited by Fred Marchant:

Sub-urban (page 120)

In any town I must live near the rind,
where the animals come around nibbling.
Everything else inside may be designed,
but near is an edge, not confined.

They must be animals, that, though mild,
come straying in only by night-time.
They don't belong, but come anyway, beguiled
by light, but ready to bold for the wild.

That's how the wilds and I belong
around any kind of a city:
in front of us lights and all the glory and stir.
but back of us—country, as friendly as fur.

                 Berkeley, California
                 September 7, 1947

What do you think?

 

Comments

  1. I don’t remember that one from the collection, but reading it a second time, it’s still not one of my favorites.