Sunday, February 15, 2015

It will never be finished

Francesca Woodman


The Art of Disappearing

When they say, Don't I know you?
say no.

When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering

Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.

If they say We should get together
say Why?

It's not that you don't love them anymore.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.

Trees. The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished.

When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven't seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don't start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.

Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time.

Naomi Shihab Nye

8 comments:

  1. I love this poem. I remember it from one of your earlier posts. :)

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  2. This is one of my favorites. It definitely captures the way I feel when it's time to cocoon back into my own world and rest for a bit.

    Love and light.

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  3. and oh Francesca Francesca. have you seen the documentary featuring her parents The Woodmans?

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  4. I think I wrote this poem myself once.
    Well, okay. Not really. I could have though. If I were a poet. Etc.

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  5. I dreamt all night of trees falling.

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  6. The introvert in me just loves this. Sweet Jo

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