(no subject)

[kohaku]

I still think about stuff I heard at the reading on wednesday. Michael Hulse was answering questions at the end of the reading, and talked about reoccurring themes in poetry. I don't think I have one yet. Poetry lives from the experience of its author. I neither have a lot of experience nor have I written enough poetry to show such string of topics.

When I browsed through Empires and Holy Lands, I remembered a piece of writing about arriving in Stanstead and going north by train. It was just a four liner, too small to stand for itself. I finally completed the poem. I structured it 4x4 lines with added head and end.


Approaching Dusk

I can taste the country already
As the train shots out of the tunnel,
Leaving Stanstead behind with increased momentum
Past brick houses and backyards with torn fences.

'Tony Blair is a cunt'
In bold white letters on a timid wall
the passenger opposite me is nodding
as if in agreement, but maybe just falling asleep.

Outside, two boys in blue are not waving
But holding out two fingers
The backs of their hands turned towards me.
Grinning devils without the 'dare-' they crave.

I remember when the gesture didn't offend me
When it had just meant 'two.' But
I have inhaled too much of this city already
Its coal and grime passed my lungs

Heading for my heart.

________________________________________________


I finally finished it, because I remember Michael Hulse telling us, that you can write about anything in your poetry. Anything you want. So I found the courage to use the writing on the wall, which I actually saw when I took the Stanstead Express towards London.