"why the moon?"
February 12, 2010
Every now and then, I like to share a “sorbet” on the blog space. This poem/riff was inspired by that little voice inside that stands up and screams at me — and I listen.
I’m mulling the idea of killing my “sorbet” list somtime in the next couple weeks. The list has around 500 people on it, all of whom receive a raw, unrefined poem from me every Friday. I’ve been doing this for seven years and I’m having doubts about it. Oh, I won’t stop writing a poem/narrative romp every week. I’ll keep it going, for myself ate least. This doubt is about sending the riffs out to an audience –it’s about a potential lack of humility, and the extra helping of ego that are attached to those poems. And I’d be fine starting over with two subscribers and seeing what happens.
Here’s this week’s “sorbet,” which could be the last….
Why the moon?
Why write a poem about the moon? Why do I care about
the moon being wrong in a Mexican sky? Why would anybody else
care that the moon was sideways – that the stars were shifted – that the air
was not frigid and hard? I mean, there is such suffering and injustice
in this world. Why not shine a light on Haiti, or Afghanistan, or Iran,
or Iraq, or a thousand other places on this planet – including our back yard,
where the poor and homeless and the insane suffer, where our
Aboriginal populations continue to struggle? There is such pain and loss, and
sickness.
And cancer! There is no way that cancer can be part of God’s scheme.
And the cruelties we inflict on each other – the things we do to each other –
can’t be part of some plan!! I have stopped watching the news but regardless,
the horrors of so-called humanity get inside of me. I have, inside of me, a mother, who because her marriage was breaking apart very likely killed her two young boys. I don’t want this goddamned bloody narrative but there it is. It makes me angry,confused,outraged and it lacerates my heart. I think of that mother and no compassion wells up inside me – only this screaming thought: “Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME!!!!”
We suffer. We are often cruel. And we suffer some more.
So, why the moon?
Why a poem about that beautiful sideways hazy moon
in a silky Mexican sky? Why not a poem that reflects the harsh
and cold reality of the human inhabitants of this pale blue dot?
Because there is also beauty, and joy, and love. Because there is
kindness, and compassion.
And sometimes, as a fledgling, struggling writer,
I try to paint a picture of how the world could be –
and perhaps, of how it ought to be.
See my “A-Z” style interview with Picador — a sort of top-of-mind lexicon from the left side of my brain…It’s right here for your viewing (reading) pleasure. It was really fun to do…
4 Comments
1. Paulette had this to say: Feb 14, 2010 ~ 18:04 ~ #
How do I retain my sorbet status? Love, Paulette
2. thomas had this to say: Feb 16, 2010 ~ 12:27 ~ #
God, Paulette,
Even begining to think about how to kill the list, I start to think I’m being a neurotic, egocentric idiot. I’m not doing anything yet. I haven’t been in the mountains for too long a time. That’s the problem.
Jesus, Trofimuk. Stop thinking about how big the list is and just write…People will tell you if they want to leave the list.
3. Paulette had this to say: Feb 16, 2010 ~ 15:29 ~ #
Fuck the list… sounds like a poem to me. Thomas, I don’t write to tell you how inspiring your poems are, I take advantage of you, you will never know how you (are) a muse (to) me. Well, of course, now you know. Know this as well, your latest book is being read by a book club here in the mountains. Enough said? Love, P
4. Keely had this to say: Feb 19, 2010 ~ 11:04 ~ #
Thomas! I look forward to your sorbets! Seriously, it’s a high point in my week and they allow me to stop, and appreciate. They inspired me to start writing a bit my own.
Whatever you decide, thank you for appearing in my inbox for the last couple of years ; )