Poet’s Page ~ January 2009

A while ago, I participated in a workshop that related to setting and achieving life goals. In one of the exercises we worked with the idea of defining “success” as “keeping our word” or “doing what we said we would do.” We were then invited to select a role that had meaning for us, declare ourselves successful in that role, and set a short term goal to demonstrate our success. I declared myself a “successful poet” and set a goal of participating in a poetry reading within a designated time.

I followed through on that goal and since that time, Wayne and I have self-published a book of my poetry. Faced with the opportunity of a new year of living and of writing a monthly piece for our website, I have decided to move from “jottings” to “poetry” and my goal is to share a poem (or two) each month. I want to inspire myself to write “new” poems with this goal, but some will be drawn from my book, “Orange Cat,” beginning with this one, found on page 32.

I don’t know where I’ve been or what seeds I’ve sown
that are bearing their strange and perfect fruit right now.
I don’t know what other lives have left their mark,
making me this interesting and sometimes dismaying
mix of generosity and fear.

If I did know what path brought me here,
would I search it out and better try to read its secrets?
If I could know who I’ve been and who I’ve loved
and how I’ve let my lives unfold,
would I try on those faces again and seek to understand
what message those eyes held for me?

Maybe it is well that I do not know such things.
Maybe it is well that what has gone before
has simply brought me here and it is enough.
Maybe it is well that everything I need or need to know
is right where I am, as I think these thoughts,
write these words, let them tumble onto the page
with only a little editing.

jbm