Wednesday Poems, 2014
I found this slim weathered book of poems a little over a month ago. They were published in 1974. Ten poems. No page numbers. One blank page in the front, one in the back. I like that the price printed on the back is $1.50 and I was charged $10.00.
I sat down with these poems this morning and decided I would read each one before doing anything else. They were exactly what I needed.
Later, I typed the title and author's name into Google to see if I could learn more about the poems or Robert Bly's time in Point Reyes. I wondered if he ever actually lived there. The first return was Amazon. There wasn't much there. I read the one and only customer review.
She wrote:
these poems didn't work for me. I found them to be depressing and odd. Anyhow, it is a nice historical piece
What you see above is precisely what I found. She didn't capitalize the first letter of the first word of the first sentence and she did not punctuate the end of the last sentence. They didn't work for her. They were depressing and odd. She found her copy to be a nice historical piece.
I decided not to look any further. I didn't need to know more. I found peace and comfort inside this pale blue cover, on these numberless pages.
Amazing how we (readers) interpret literature. And which pieces of literature endure and which - through no fault of the work itself - don't.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece. It reminds me a bit of Joan Didion, especially the second to last paragraph :)
Yes and yes. I've had dear friends recommend books to me that I have not liked at all and I've shared favorite books with like-minded friends that simply have not resonated with them. And what endures and what does not, an interesting topic that translates into endless areas. Thank you for your note, Joyti.
DeleteOn another note, I have just ordered your book and will wait impatiently for 2 to 3 days for it to reach my hot little hands.
ReplyDeletexo J
Jane... You are like an angel who pops out of nowhere when life feels a little off-kilter and makes me smile.
DeletePoint Reyes, Robert Bly, the 70's. Perfect.
ReplyDeleteThen you might like it, Jen. But I am becoming hesitant about making recommendations.
DeleteI wish I could time travel and take a look at Point Reyes in the 70s.
I love the Point Reyes Poems. They are included in a collection that Bly published in 1992 titled "What Have I Ever Lost By Dying." My favorite: "Two Sounds When We Sit By the Ocean."
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful find--the original.
Your book should arrive at my door next week!
Of course you know these poems, Nancy. I should have known. I'll have to look for "What Have I Ever Lost By Dying." Thanks for ordering my book!
DeleteYour book dropped on my doormat this morning. I am very much looking forward to settling down and reading it.
ReplyDeleteOh good. I hope you like it, Kath.
DeleteI love how you described your experience of looking for more about these poems and then deciding you had looked enough, to not spoil the poems that resonated with you. I too find making recommendations or following others' with trepidation. I have not read these Bly poems, so am going to look for the Bly collection mentioned in the comments. Ordering your book now!
ReplyDeleteGood call, Diane. Nancy has excellent taste.
DeleteYou're right. Sometimes knowing less is knowing enough. I'm glad you found the poems when you needed them. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pia. Me too.
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