Jan 2021
~but you dart through the future
which is memory
your boys voice shouting out
the remainder of poems
of which I know
simply beginnings
—Carolyn Kizer, "For Sappho/After Sappho," Gift of Tongues
For you
written January 18th, 2021
My future self
I want you to have
songs in your heart
and words on your tongue.
I need to see you
darting through the future
boldly singing chanting screaming crying
words that today are unimagined and unborn.
Beginnings are anything but simple
but for you to be comfortable
having a voice
I have to start today.
So I write these words
which feel so inadequate
forcing myself
to not be mute
for you.
which is memory
your boys voice shouting out
the remainder of poems
of which I know
simply beginnings
—Carolyn Kizer, "For Sappho/After Sappho," Gift of Tongues
For you
written January 18th, 2021
My future self
I want you to have
songs in your heart
and words on your tongue.
I need to see you
darting through the future
boldly singing chanting screaming crying
words that today are unimagined and unborn.
Beginnings are anything but simple
but for you to be comfortable
having a voice
I have to start today.
So I write these words
which feel so inadequate
forcing myself
to not be mute
for you.
I often get inspiration to write from reading other poetry. I try to read some poetry every day. This anthology is a favorite of mine, from Copper Canyon Press. I'm not good at formatting these things, but I want the quote to be before the poem, and for it to be clear they are not my words. In time I'll find something that looks better.
