The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Tue 11/25/2008)

[RetroLounge]

Love's Vicissitudes

First you were hungry, then you were in love
and thought everything had changed, oh the sun
and the birds hidden in the trees, their presence
proved by singing. Happiness, you thought,
was given freely, the balance books
with their neat columns and faux leather covers
had nothing to do with it: this was not
like a wartime grocery, everything given
but on the short leash of credit. Abundance
and glory: that's it, it's been here all along
and as in the song the lovers sing as they cross the bridge,
you just didn't see it, didn't hear it, before.
You are willing to believe in a world where violins
begin to bow of their accord, where a phrase
turns into a refrain and everything rhymes. Go ahead,
ridiculous one, say it's the springtime of the heart.

First you were hungry. Then you were in love.
Miraculous transformation, the path between
a labyrinth. Once you walk blinking
into the sudden sun, know the two will always
be twined. It is an outrage and you are outrageous
in your failure to distinguish between what ought
to be opposites, love and hatred, for example.

Jessica Fisher

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

:hi:

RL

[blueraven95]

1. ...

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

7. ...

:hi:

RL

[Chorophyll]

2. So I looked up "vicissitude." (How embarrassing.)

"A change or variation occurring in the course of something."

Cynical poem, huh. :hi:

[RetroLounge]

9. Somewhat Cynical, yeah...

:hi:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear Retro!

Oh, nice!

Love can certainly change your vision, how you see the world...

Thank you!

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

11. ...

:hi:

RL

[Dora]

4. First you were in love, and then you were hungry.

The pie on the counter is just a pie.
Tomorrow it will be gone, and if not,
then stale, discarded. Spring alone
is spring, no amount of insistence
makes one thumb any greener than its
counterparts. Anyone can dig a hole,
plant a seed, bring water. The spell
was cast millennia ago, we're simply
following instructions. Or not,
as the case may be. And if not,
then why? Bring yourself to the shovel,
trowel, stick. Break open the earth.
Dig deep in your pocket, is the bean
there? For this you sold the dinner
on your table, the wood in your fire.
Take your bucket to the pump, practice
the magic that is not yours. Dig,
sow, drench. Dig, sow, drench. Climb.

[RetroLounge]

13. ...

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. she had me til the very end...

:donut: :hi:

[RetroLounge]

14. Which part?

The last stanza or the last sentence?

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. Upon re-reading it...

I think I agree...they ought to be opposites but, they are not.

[RetroLounge]

18. I agree, I think.

The opposite of love is not hate, it's apathy...

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

19. and I think she learned this...

at first I thought she had not learned it. Do you think she learned it? :crazy: :shrug:

[miss_american_pie]

6. kick

for oktoberain :hi:

[RetroLounge]

8. I'm sorry, do I know you?

:shrug:

:loveya:

RL

[Lyric]

10. Hey you!

I love this poem. If you ever get the chance, get Jessica Fisher's book "Frail Craft." It's lovely.

:hug:
:loveya:

[RetroLounge]

12. Thanks for suggesting this poem!

:hi:

:hug:

RL

[Lyric]

15. Thank YOU for posting it!

So hey--James Harms is my prof as of next semester. You gonna come sit in on a class with me? I can totally get you autographs. :D

[RetroLounge]

16. Oh, can I audit his class and live with you guys?

:loveya:

RL

[Lyric]

21. Well, that depends.

Can you cook??

:rofl:
:loveya:

[RetroLounge]

23. Is that a metaphor?

:rofl:

RL

[enigmatic]

20. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your poetry threads

Awesome stuff, man :D

[RetroLounge]

22. Thanks!

:hi:

RL