Some poems have several layers of
impact, tempting the reader to think deeper on the first re-read, and deeper
still on the next….
I noticed this poem by David Whyte. It
seemed to be ordinary enough as I skimmed through it, but it snared me in the
end, it bids for lavish, lush reflection and opens a couple windows for gazing
at some things we often don’t see clearly enough or think about clearly enough.
“…requests…beginning to lead
everywhere…” is a tempting gambit, and “…questions that have patiently waited
for you…” is a warming invitation to step into the cold shower of reality.
I think the poem has excesses of
language that diminish its essence, but the evidence of the right words is all there.
Here’s an excerpt, see the entire poem
in the Australia Times Poetry Magazine.
…Requests
to stop what
you are doing
right now,
and
to stop what
you are doing
right now,
and
to
stop what you
are becoming
while you do it,
are becoming
while you do it,
questions
that can make
or unmake
a life…
that can make
or unmake
a life…
From “Sometimes” by David Whyte © David Whyte and Many Rivers Press
Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2016
All rights reserved.
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