The Next Poem
by Dana Gioia
How much better it seems now
than when it is finally done–
the unforgettable first line,
the cunning way the stanzas run.
than when it is finally done–
the unforgettable first line,
the cunning way the stanzas run.
The rhymes soft-spoken and suggestive
are barely audible at first,
an appetite not yet acknowledged
like the inkling of a thirst.
are barely audible at first,
an appetite not yet acknowledged
like the inkling of a thirst.
While gradually the form appears
as each line is coaxed aloud–
the architecture of a room
seen from the middle of a crowd.
as each line is coaxed aloud–
the architecture of a room
seen from the middle of a crowd.
The music that of common speech
but slanted so that each detail
sounds unexpected as a sharp
inserted in a simple scale.
but slanted so that each detail
sounds unexpected as a sharp
inserted in a simple scale.
No jumble box of imagery
dumped glumly in the reader’s lap
or elegantly packaged junk
the unsuspecting must unwrap.
dumped glumly in the reader’s lap
or elegantly packaged junk
the unsuspecting must unwrap.
But words that could direct a friend
precisely to an unknown place,
those few unshakeable details
that no confusion can erase.
precisely to an unknown place,
those few unshakeable details
that no confusion can erase.
And the real subject left unspoken
but unmistakable to those
who don’t expect a jungle parrot
in the black and white of prose.
but unmistakable to those
who don’t expect a jungle parrot
in the black and white of prose.
How much better it seems now
than when it is finally written.
How hungrily one waits to feel
the bright lure seized, the old hook
than when it is finally written.
How hungrily one waits to feel
the bright lure seized, the old hook
bitten.
Bridget has the roundup here.
7 comments:
This is one to read and re-read. Thanks, Ruth!
Ha! This reminds me of that quote about people don't want to write a book, they want to have written it. :) Oh what we must go through to get to THE END. Thank you for sharing, Ruth! xo
"And the real subject left unspoken
but unmistakable to those
who don’t expect a jungle parrot
in the black and white of prose."
I had an instructor who encouraged us to "write behind our backs". I feel like that is what Gioia is doing here. Thanks for sharing, Ruth. =)
Love the way the first and last stanzas work in harmony! (Love the whole thing, actually!)
I had an assistant a long time ago who reveled in Gioia's poems, and taught me to find that "real subject left unspoken". It was a gift of learning for me to discover his work. Thanks Ruth!
I love that poem, and especially the lines, "unmistakable to those/ who don’t expect a jungle parrot/ in the black and white of prose." I always expect jungle parrots! LOL
I love this stanza most of all:
But words that could direct a friend
precisely to an unknown place,
those few unshakeable details
that no confusion can erase.
Oh to have that unshakeable truth that can not be erased.
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