~ Hal Borland
 |
| Vintage postcard of Washington DC's Tidal Basin Library of Congress |
For National Poetry Month, I'm sharing a poem by Sharon Olds. It's from her most recent collection, Stag's Leap, a magnificent book that tells the story of the end of her thirty-two year marriage. Her poems record her shock and grief and doubt and rage at her husband (who left her for another woman) and herself with such searing honesty that I literally winced when reading some of them. Eventually, she starts to heal herself. But she is changed.
This poem is from the first half of Stag's Leap, where she is still quite raw and flooded by thoughts of what was.
The Healers
When they say, If there are any doctors aboard,
would they make themselves known, I remember when my then
husband would rise, and I would get to be
the one he rose from beside. They say now
that it does not work, unless you are equal.
And after those first thirty years,
I was not the one he wanted to rise from
or return to — not I but she who would also
rise, when such were needed. Now I see them,
lifting, side by side, on wide,
medical, wading-bird wings — like storks with the
doctor bags of like-loves-like
dangling from their beaks. Oh well. It was the way
it was he did not feel happy when words
were called for, and I stood.
You can see Sharon Olds read her poem in this PBS interview.
For more poetry by Sharon olds, visit:
One more thing: Don't forget to celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 18th!
Thank you, Michele, for the poem and for the video clip. I love the idea of poetry as "companionly" and "useful." And I'm glad she's found a companion who makes her coffee in the morning.
ReplyDeleteIt's always revealing to hear a poet talk about her poetry, and while those words, "companionly" and "useful", surprised me they also capture what I love about her poetry. This poem, which I saw her read at an Academy of American Poets event, is the sort of thing you might joke about with a friend. Companionly! http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22658
ReplyDeleteI'm glad she's found a new companion, too. She has been through the wringer and it's time for some happiness.
Excellent choice for poetry month, Michelle. I have been wanting to get my hands on this collection of poems since my sister-in-law told me about it. The video clip is lovely, always so wonderful to hear the poet's own voice reading the words. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Holly. It's a phenomenal collection. You won't regret getting it.
ReplyDelete