The trouble with Tuesdays is that too often I don't have anything of substance to say. But since I enjoyed the many poems that were shared during April, here is one to start off May. Billy Collins wrote this about the author, Denver Butson, “Here is a poet who is wild, frenzied, and refreshingly mad. His imagination unlocks for us the cells of reason and sets us loose in a world of dizzying possibilities.” That was enough for me to take a look at some of his poetry! I love the evocative language in this one, and the interesting images that the well-chosen words call to mind, the ordinary situation of waiting for a bus made extraordinary by fire, drowning, freezing, and worse. It speaks to me of quiet desperation.
Tuesday 9:00 AM
A man standing at the bus stop reading the newspaper is on fire Flames are peeking out from beneath his collar and cuffs His shoes have begun to melt The woman next to him wants to mention it to him that he is burning but she is drowning Water is everywhere in her mouth and ears in her eyes A stream of water runs steadily from her blouse Another woman stands at the bus stop freezing to death She tries to stand near the man who is on fire to try to melt the icicles that have formed on her eyelashes and on her nostrils to stop her teeth long enough from chattering to say something to the woman who is drowning but the woman who is freezing to death has trouble moving with blocks of ice on her feet It takes the three some time to board the bus what with the flames and water and ice But when they finally climb the stairs and take their seats the driver doesn't even notice that none of them has paid because he is tortured by visions and is wondering if the man who got off at the last stop was really being mauled to death by wild dogs.
—Denver Butson
You can read an interview with Denver Butson here.
This speaks volumes about the private things people struggle with and I think it's an excellent reminder for us to be compassionate.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is an amazing poem in so many ways Bonny! I have to agree with Billy Collins' assessment of Denver Butson. Wild! Frenzied! Refreshingly Mad!! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem. Thanks for the introduction to someone new to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading! I also found it a pretty powerful poem.
DeleteWow! I love it! In our own little world...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Bonny!
It breaks my heart to think of all the suffering souls who walk this world.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to read the poems posted on blogs. Everyone likes something different and I've met some new poets. Thank you. I also have to smile at your columbine seedlings. I love columbine but they don't grow the best in our climate. I wonder if it is the hot summer winds that do them in. I have one sheltered spot that is shaded part of the day where they will grow. I cleaned our part of a perennial bed today. Hooray for spring.
ReplyDeleteWe really can't see the problems with others when we have problems of our own, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteOh.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one.
Brilliant, actually.
XO
oh my goodness - thank you for another wonderful introduction!
ReplyDelete