Earlier on Fillmore Street (2300), 2011Later on Fillmore Street (2123) I am sitting with a fancy sparkling water from the UK. I did not know this when I bought it. I also bought a book by C. D. Wright. So, a little bad and a little good. I see Michael Ondaatje praises it on its back cover. Like the water, I did not know this when I bought it. I found this book of poetry in a small bookstore (2195) near this cafe where I sit. Sometimes I buy a book just to show the bookstore that they matter. Books of poetry, poetry written by live poets, are not always easy to find. I did not check to see if this book was a part of our library's collection, I bought it on a whim. I am disturbed by its cover. It scares me, but the pages I skim while still in the bookstore reach deeper than my fear. The book is one long poem. While standing before the poetry shelves I flip through the book backward and see lines such as Sunflower blindness and Take a mirror to the river and Great goblets of magnolialight. It all stems from a road trip through the rural South. I push my other books aside and enter her world, this time from the beginning.
Deepstep Come Shining by C. D. Wright
oh, hooray for books of poetry that make us push other things aside. hooray, hooray. hope you thoroughly enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI do the same, flipping backwards through books (although I don't read the ending). I'm emotionally incapable of reading something without some sort of redemption and if it doesn't look like it will happen (whether fiction, poetry, etc.), I just can't read it. I need to read more poetry though. Do you have favourites?
ReplyDeleteKatrina, I agree, it is reason to cheer. Hooray.
ReplyDeletemosey, I'm with you, I'd never actually read an ending. Just flipping to get a feel for what's inside. Book jackets can be deceiving. In response to your question, a few books of poetry come to mind. Cooling Time by C. D. Wright, Late Wife by Claudia Emerson, and The Recent History of Middle Sand Lake by Molly Sutton Kiefer. Although it is not a book of poetry and somewhat difficult to classify, I find Michael Ondaatje's Running in the Family poetic. Do you have any favorites?
what a magnificent line. and what a terrifying cover! haha yoikes! i love that you buy books just to make a point; i do that too :)
ReplyDeleteBuying books on a whim always makes me feel as if I've accomplished something. It does not happen often enough.
ReplyDeleteThe description of flipping through the book only to discover great goblets of magnolialight was a sweet surprise. I enjoyed reading your poetry recommendations in response to Mosey's comment. Beautiful sounding choices.
ReplyDeleteSo much goodness. "Sometimes I buy a book just to show the bookstore that they matter."
ReplyDeleteHooray for supporting the local bookstores. I love that.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I can, I support anything local, I'd love to have a bookstore close. Where I live, there's nothing left, no place where people can gather, it's sad.
ReplyDeleteI too flip through books backwards, and it never takes more than a minute to decide to buy or not to buy.
Love that photo too.
Lilli
What I am hearing is an afternoon of thoughtful pleasures and welcomed surprises. A good way to spend time.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, those bookstores matter - it's a nice one on Fillmore too...
I've never been able to make it though one-long-poem books, but now I'll never forget the phrase "great goblets of magnolialight." I did love Ondaatje's Running in the Family, though, so maybe I feel differently about one-long-poemLIKE-books. :-)
ReplyDeleteoh how i loved this sentence: "Sometimes I buy a book just to show the bookstore that they matter."
ReplyDeletereading ur post i wish i would be better at reading poetry.
i think i might like this book of poetry of which you speak. putting the other poetry books you write of in the comments on my to read list. thanks, denise. also, i love the photo!
ReplyDeleteI like it that you buy a book to let the bookstore know they matter.
ReplyDeleteI tend not to flip.
Liz, It feels good. I really do appreciate the luxury of roaming around a bookstore.
ReplyDeleteTracy, My library card gets a good workout, but I also enjoy the treat of a book purchase. I get that feeling of accomplishment when I pass a book on. Sometimes I'll leave a finished book in a cafe or inn for someone else to discover.
Nicolette, One special discovery can make you see things differently.
Lecia, Thanks. Books have been so important in my life.
Michele, I think it is worthwhile. I'd be so sad if I lived in an area without a little bookstore. I even seek them out when I travel.
Lilli, Maybe you'll open a local bookstore one day.
Janis, It's a nice quiet little shop. A comfortable place to browse.
Shae, I know what you mean. It can be a challenge. I really like Ondaatje. His work is so interesting and diverse.
[sen.siˈʝes], I hope you are reading a poem today.
shari, I've finished it and I'm still trying to decide how I feel. A little disoriented is the first thing that comes to mind.
RW, Thanks. Flipping, I suppose it is not for everyone.
"...but the pages I skim while still in the bookstore reach deeper than my fear."
ReplyDeleteYes! Here is to that.
(Love that animal procession, though this will come as no surprise to you I am sure.)
gracia, I am not surprised. I'm sure your work has had a big part in growing my attraction to such imagery.
ReplyDeletethank you for introducing me to this poet--living in the South, I should have known about C.D.Wright. marvelous imagery!
ReplyDeletenancy, Another of hers I've read is Cooling Time. In fact, I preferred Cooling Time.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better than when a book finds you and convinces you to take it home! I used to live right near there on California St, but now live in Hawaii so it was so nice to places from my days in the city! I just stumbled across your blog and am very happy to have found it!
ReplyDeleteCheers, H
H (Swigs and Grinds), It is a good thing. I'm glad you found your way over here and were able to relive some nice California St. memories.
ReplyDelete