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Poetry About Everyday Matters



Came across this poem today while reading, The Everyday Poet- Poems to Live By Edited by Deborah Alma.

 All of us have things in our lives that remain incomplete, unfinished, that we just don't quite seem to get around too. These become our 'one day' things. We attach the best intentions to these things, but they just slip by. I think the poet, Jann Kaplinski captures the very essence of this aspect of the human condition. We all have things we just never quite get around to doing. Some happen on a daily basis, while others seem to get deferred somewhat longer.
I find it most gratifying when poets write about those small moments in life and elevate them in ways that make them worthy of the reader's attention. Enjoy...

THE WASHING NEVER GETS DONE . . .
The washing never gets done.
The furnace never gets heated.
Books never get read.

Life is never completed.
Life is like a ball which one must continually catch and hit so that it won't fall.
When the fence is repaired at one end,
it collapses at the other. The roof leaks,
the kitchen door won't close, there are cracks in the foundation,
the torn knees of children's pants. . .
One can't keep everything in mind. The wonder is
that beside all this one can notice
the spring which is so full of everything
continuing in all directions - into evening clouds,
into the redwing's song and into every
drop of dew on every blade of grass in the meadow,
as far as the eye can see, into the dusk.


Jaan Kaplinski


Comments

  1. The perfect day for pointing out that nothing gets done! LOL

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    1. We all have these kind of days Brenda. We're all in this together.

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  2. I think that's where poetry comes from--the noticing into evening clouds, into the dusk--in spite of all that does not get done!

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    1. I believe your'e right Buffy. We must pay close attention to these simple pleasures and in order for that to happen, some things must fall by the way. oh well, there's always tomorrow.

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  3. Finding a way to be OK with all of the undone....that's what poets help us do, don't they? A fantastic poem. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. My Pleasure Linda. Poets do indeed help us to take it all in and get things in perspective.

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  4. In addition to the very true poem, I love your prelude to it: "I find it most gratifying when poets write about those small moments in life and elevate them in ways that make them worthy of the reader's attention." Small moments make some of the best poems, I think. Thanks for sharing this, Alan.

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    1. Small moments are there to be savoured and recalled and hopefully appreciated. Thanks for your kind remarks Violet.

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  5. A poem about things "that remain incomplete, unfinished," is so apropos as the year comes to an end. Love the lines "When the fence is repaired at one end,
    it collapses at the other." Thanks for sharing, Alan.

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    Replies
    1. There is a lot to ponder in this poem Alice. My attraction to it was immediate. Thank you for your comments Alice.

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  6. A great reminder that there is beauty to be found even in everyday chores, and that something unfinished isn't necessarily a failure, just a fact of life. Life never stops moving - that's what makes it so exhilarating, even when we're dropping all those balls!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your response Jane. What you say strikes the right note with regard to these everyday matters. Well said.

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