Poem of the Month: April 2001

Poetry

Its door opens near. It's a shrine
by the road, it's a flower in the parking lot
of the Pentagon, it says, "Look around,
listen. Feel the air." It interrupts
international telephone lines with a tune.
When traffic lines jam, it gets out
and dances on the bridge. If great people
get distracted by fame they forget
this essential kind of breathing
and they die inside their gold shell.
When caravans cross deserts
it is the secret treasure hidden under the jewels.

Sometimes commanders take us over, and they
try to impose their whole universe,
how to succeed by daily calculation:
I can't eat that bread.

-- William Stafford
From Even in the Quiet Places
Confluence Press, 1996


Journal prompts:

• What is the first poem you remember loving?
• Have you ever memorized a poem? Write as much of it as you can in your journal. What memories does it evoke?
• This month, explore a poet who is new to you. Write (or tape) a poem you especially like in your journal. Read it over and over. How does it speak to you?
• For a wealth of poetry-related links, check out the National Association for Poetry Therapy website, and click on "Links."
• Write a poem (it doesn't have to rhyme!)