Next Round Poetry

Rita Dove arrived this weekend.

I am still experimenting with books of poetry, so I’m no expert, but there is one lesson that I’ve learned and applied here. If you already love a poet’s work, a large and/or complete collection of their poems is fine and, when buying, potentially the most economical choice. If you’re experimenting with a new poet, it’s best to stick to chapbooks or other relatively small collections of poetry that are too small to be intimidating or overwhelming.

I like to read through the individual poems of a poetry collection randomly and then reread the book from beginning to end, spending extra time as necessary to better understand or better appreciate particular poems. Because this is a book of poetry and I am still ill at ease with poetry, I will not grade it, but I will count it in my list of books for the year.

I sit, and sit, and will my thoughts
the way they used to wend
when thoughts were young
(i.e., accused of wandering).
The sunset ticks another notch
into the pressure treated rails
of the veranda. My heart, too,
has come down to earth;
I've missed the chance
to put things in reverse,
recapture childhoood's backseat
universe. Where I'm at now
is more like riding on a bus...

From “The Pond, Porch-View: Six P.M., Early Spring” by Rita Dove