Here's an untitled poem from For Paul and Other Poems, in Collected Works by Lorine Niedecker:
The death of my poor father
leaves debts
and two small houses.
To settle this estate
a thousand fees arise--
I enrich the law.
Before my own death is certified,
recorded, final judgement
judged
taxes taxed
I shall own a book
of old Chinese poems
and binoculars
to probe the river
trees.
Simple wishes, hopefully obtained.
If you haven't viewed the "Before I Die" project of Candy Chang, be sure to visit it here. I'd like to think that most people's wishes can be fulfilled if they make an effort.
Katya is today's Round-Up host at Write. Sketch. Repeat.
7 comments:
It's a beautiful poem, Diane. I love the detail in those desired objects. The binoculars of desire -- the wanting makes them feel so grand.
Thanks, Laura. Before I die, I'd like a good camera with a long lens so I can probe the trees and catch close-ups of birds. (I love birds, but I can never tell which ones are singing which songs.)
So much good about this post, Diane!
Thanks, Janet!
I love the two very specific wishes. They give a real sense of the speaker and are such a contrast to the father. I watched Candy Chang's TED talk just last night. It made me wish for a school with a wall full of answers to the question: what I really want to know is...
Simple wishes, indeed! Thanks for sharing this simple poem with a strong message. Also, thank you for sharing Candy Chang's Before I Die project. It's very inspiring. :)
Everyone can do a small-scale project--just stick a piece of paper to your bathroom mirror. Add a question, leave a pencil, and see what your family comes up with!
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