~H. P. Lovecraft
When I was unsure about what to post this Poetry Friday, I turned to books from the library. The first book fell short rather substantially, but Linda Pastan did not disappoint. I couldn't find some of the poems online so I could send you to read the rest, but here are two that I did:
Marine chronometer
photo by Daderot
Ship's Clock
by Linda Pastan
The ship’s clock, stowed in a box
for its passage to the beach each summer,
continues to chime every four hours
(first watch ... dog watch ... )
inside the cedar closet.
I look up from my desk and wonder
what that rounded sound could be,
then remember the clock,
all polished brass, still marking
the watches of a distant ocean.
read the rest here
************
“Adam And Eve,” By Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526
by Linda Pastan
The snake is a quicksilver curve
on a branch she is almost
young enough to swing from.
read the rest here
************
Laura Shovan has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Laura!
12 comments:
Great choices! I love Linda Pastan's poems.
No, Pastan is one who makes me look at things more than once. I love "forcing the actual to sink
and disappear/beneath" something writing and horseback riding does for me every time. The other feels like an ominous prediction or then again, simple worry for all those adolescents starting into their worlds. Thanks, Tabatha, always a pleasure to read what you share!
Tabatha, I love the quote you started your post with because it speaks of all that is tied up in an ocean of possibilites. (The ocean is my go-to spot during the year. I remember and relive moments when I am there.) Thanks for the poems, as well. I captured the quote for my summer gallery or summer writing.
Tabatha, it is I Carol V. who is listed under anonymous (above).
Love your poem choices, Tabatha.
I enjoy Pastan's poems and want to devote more time to studying them in detail. Thanks for sharing these two today; "Ship's Clock" is lovely and precise. I was sold at "rounded sound."
Thanks, Tabatha--I'll admit I rarely click through to read the rest of a poem, but I love how even snippets can have impact!
"the world before her
glittering and perilous." How awesome is that???
"Ship's Clock" caught my attention. I love how Pastan takes the simple image of the clock chiming in the closet and carries it to the caged bird and even the poet!
I have such a love of Linda Pastan's poems....she was my "breakthrough" poet that made me just wow at a time in my life that writing seemed to be calling to me louder than ever. Even though I read the rest of the poem...I like the first two stanzas as is. What a lovely selection for today. I'm inspired to go put some words together.
I have got to find me a Pastan collection or two of poetry to savor.I have enjoyed the ones I've encountered through Poetry Fridays. These two took my breath away--especially the end of the second one.
Tabatha, these are both powerful! You're right -- Pastan never disappoints.
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