Someone writing a poem in response to your work is just about one of the best types of reactions one can give. I'm grateful to Joyce Gullickson for writing this poem inspired by her reading of my latest book, THE CONNOISSEUR OF ALLEYS. Thank you Joyce!
In Due Time
after
The Way It Is by William Stafford
I forgot the difficulty of
loving.
I forgot the field, overgrown
with weeds—
until I dreamed of childhood.
Often I’ve forgotten to follow the thread
through the eye of the
needle,
I’ve forgotten the way it is—
The joy of love struck stars
that travel millions of miles
their lightshine reflecting
in your eyes
I forgot to follow that
gleaming.
I forgot love’s combustion.
I forgot the author of
chemical reactions
the white hot, soul burning
soul searing, all searching
manner of love—abiding.
I forgot how love covers
hovering anger.
How the threadbare blanket
extinguishes
those fires of discontent.
Remember how anger hurts?
Sure you do, sure you do.
I forgot the magic of time’s
passing—
how memories’ needle loses
its sting,
how a thimble of love
protects us.
Today, I forgot the way it is
until—
I found a dandelion in the
forgotten field—
waiting—wanting—to be
fulfilled.
Joyce is co-founder, along with husband Mike Gullickson, of the Georgetown Poetry Festival. Mike also wrote a poem-response to THE CONNOISSEUR ... I am grateful to both of you!
[Btw, THE CONNOISSEUR is now available on Amazon and SPD, among others.]
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