I'm reading This Side of Paradise by Fitzgerald and there's a point where Amory takes stock of what he's doing. He makes a list and at the top of the list is "1. The Fundamental Amory." and then he lists off all the things that have changed him but at the end of the list he writes ".6 The Fundamental Amory".
I am looking to get back to more of the Fundamental James. I love comedy and I love writing scripts and filming them and seeing them. (Speaking of which, Army Husbands Ep. 2 is up and I'll post it soon.)
So I'm starting up my 30 Poems, 30 Days project again. And I've changed the rules. Whatever I write that day, even if it's two or three poems, will be posted up. No saving them for other days.
So here's the first of two poems I wrote today. If I write a third I'll post it up. I feel rusty but I've been reading a lot more poets lately. These two are William Stafford influenced.
No Victory
I found a fire burning the drought
brittle grasses of the service field.
I was nine, I was alone.
Where the power lines carve their shoulder room
the fire was loose and animal.
And for a hundred times,
I ran from river to blaze,
armed with a bag full of creek,
with a calm assurance
I was master over all emergency.
Some lessons are false lessons.
For me this set a precedent
of managing everything as manageable,
of never crying out until the wave
was fastened in my mouth.
In this grown up now, if you see me run
I’m on fire and can’t say.
No Victory
I found a fire burning the drought
brittle grasses of the service field.
I was nine, I was alone.
Where the power lines carve their shoulder room
the fire was loose and animal.
And for a hundred times,
I ran from river to blaze,
armed with a bag full of creek,
with a calm assurance
I was master over all emergency.
Some lessons are false lessons.
For me this set a precedent
of managing everything as manageable,
of never crying out until the wave
was fastened in my mouth.
In this grown up now, if you see me run
I’m on fire and can’t say.
Yum. I like this one. So glad to see you post poetry again.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, when you say you love comedy, I'm always puzzled because I've never seen that side of you. I mean, you've made me laugh, but I've never thought of you as "funny." Funny how? Like Groucho Marks or Conan or . . .? Do our other friends think of you as a comedian? How did I miss that? Your wit must have overshadowed your comic side.
I'm glad you like it, Sharon. Yeah, its been a while. I'm glad I'm back posting as well.
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I read you've never thought of me as 'funny'. That's hilarious or disheartening. Though I had one friend in my writing program say to me after about two years, "Oh, you're really funny. I didn't know."
I'll wear more funny t-shirts when we hang out next time.
A, I love this.
ReplyDeleteB, I cannot wait for Army Husbands, pt. 2.
Sarah! Thank you. And it's done! Ep. 2 is accomplished. We're actually filming Episode 3 in two weeks. I will post it up right now.
ReplyDelete