My humble apologies

I did indeed look up Jorie Graham and, in addition to the fact that I feel like a complete dunce for not knowing who she was in the first place, I owe an apology to Anonymous. Although I have a deep appreciation for poetry, especially the finest examples of economy of words, I am not much informed about modern poets. It takes a certain level of concentration and reflection which I seem to lack these days.

In my mid-twenties I went through a phase of wanting to devour poetry, to educate myself on modern influences, to learn all the classics which my public school education skipped over. I wrote some extremely poor specimens myself, mostly to create a release valve during a time of frustration and inner conflict in my life.

But I did not learn about Jorie Graham. Thanks to Anon., I know her now. Without further adieu, a sampling for you.

The Way Things Work

is by admitting or opening away. This is the simplest form of current: Blue moving through blue; blue through purple; the objects of desire opening upon themselves without us; the objects of faith. The way things work is by solution, resistance lessened or increased and taken advantage of. The way things work is that we finally believe they are there, common and able o illustrate themselves. Wheel, kinetic flow, rising and falling water, ingots, levers and keys, I believe in you, cylinder lock, pully, lifting tackle and crane lift your small head-- I believe in you-- your head is the horizon to my hand. I believe forever in the hooks. The way things work is that eventually something catches. Jorie Graham