The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Thu 5/31/2007)

[RetroLounge]

The Art of Disappearing

When they say Don't I know you?
say no.

When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.
Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.

If they say We should get together
say why?

It's not that you don't love them anymore.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven't seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don't start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.

Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time.

Naomi Shihab Nye

****************

RL

If you have a request for a certain Poet, post their name in the thread and I will find a poem by them and post it...

if you want to see some of my poetry, see the blog at:
http://www.myspace.com/retropaul

[Haole Girl]

1. Interesting one...

It does sound like a writer's philosophy, as impractical it might be!

I would like to ask why...so many times.

Thanks for the post!

[wildhorses]

2. i believe she has got it down to a science --in an art form

used a couple of those myself *heehee*

:hi:

[blueraven95]

3. ...

:hug:

[Inchworm]

4. Ninja?

I like it.

nod briefly and become a cabbage..

:thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Good morning, my dear Retro!

Hmmm....this is an interesting take on things...

It brings to light something that I often see in your choices:

They often describe ordinary everyday happenings...in a new way, a way of seeing things that I normally don't do...

Thank you...

I like it a lot!

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

8. Hi Peggy

:hug:

RL

[xchrom]

6. i'm never going to look at a cabbage the same way again.

[RetroLounge]

7. So True

:hi:

How are you?

RL

[xchrom]

10. i'm really good.

and you? -- how are you.

durham was wonderful -- i got used to the heat -- and now i'm freezing here in oakland.

[RetroLounge]

11. I'm doing pretty okay...

when I can manage not to be terrified of being broke, hungry and alone... :D

Oakland has that little breeze from the bay...

RL

[xchrom]

13. yeah --

i know from terrified.

we had the fog in til just a little bit ago.

it's the june gloom in may.

freezing.

[Kajsa]

9. HI, Retro! This is very interesting.

this one really grabbed me,

"nod briefly and become a cabbage."

I've done that, many times.

I like this one, it keeps me thinking.

Thanks,

:hi: :pals:

[RetroLounge]

12. ...

:pals:

RL

[otherlander]

14. I don't know how to become a cabbage.

I know how to become a bench, though.