| |
|
|
from the issue of August 21, 2008
|
| |
|
|
| |
American Life in Poetry
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006
I'd guess you've all seen a toddler hold something over the edge of a high-chair and then let it drop, just for the fun of it. Here's a lovely picture of a small child learning the laws of physics. The poet, Joelle Biele, lives in Maryland.
To Katherine: At 14 Months
All morning, you've studied the laws
of spoons, the rules of books,
the dynamics
of the occasional plate, observed
the principles
governing objects in motion and objects
at rest. To see if it will fall, and if it does,
how far, if it will rage like a lost penny
or ring like a Chinese gong - because
it doesn't have to - you lean
from your chair
and hold your cup over the floor.
It curves in your hand,
it weighs in your palm,
it arches like a wave, it is a dipper
full of stars, and you're the wind timing
the pull of the moon, you're the water
measuring the distance
from which we fall.
Poem copyright (c) 2007 by Joelle Biele, whose most recent book of poetry is "White Summer," Southern Illinois University Press, 2002. Poem reprinted from "West Branch," Fall/Winter, 2007, by permission of Joelle Biele. Introduction copyright (c) 2008 by The Poetry Foundation. This column is made possible by the Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org) and supported by the UNL Department of English. This column does not accept unsolicited poetry.
GO TO: ISSUE OF AUGUST 21
ARTS HEADLINES FOR AUGUST 21
Great Plains gallery hosts Farrell's photo exhibition
American Life in Poetry
'Celebration Threads' gala is Aug. 24
Cornhusker Marching Band event is Aug. 22
GETTING READY
Kendall's 'Purpose of Labor' opens Aug. 26
Multi-media exhibit featured at Sheldon
Sundance award winner plays the Ross
733275S38360X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|