The above photographed birthday cards were my two favorite that I received -- from friends who've known me for a very long time and from a friend who has known me for only a short time and only virtually but who knows me as well and maybe even more and better than anyone.
This poem appeared on The Writer's Almanac on my birthday. I haven't read much Dorianne Laux, but I couldn't help but think the poem was a sign of sorts -- that we are known by others, that words find us. I ordered a couple of her books.
Moon in the Window
I wish I could say I was the kind of child
who watched the moon from her window,
would turn toward it and wonder.
I never wondered. I read. Dark signs
that crawled toward the edge of the page.
It took me years to grow a heart
from paper and glue. All I had
was a flashlight, bright as the moon,
a white hole blazing beneath the sheets.
Dorianne Laux
Love. So much. And that poem is me except that I guess somewhere, somehow, I did pay attention to the moon. Still- the flashlight. Yes. Beneath the sheets.
ReplyDeleteIn childhood, I liked reading scary books under the sheets with a flashlight! It upped the ante considerably.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fine poem. I don't know her work, but will look for it now.
What a perfect poem for you. Happy Belated Birthday!
ReplyDelete"Even birthdays filled her with rage." That is one of the funniest things I have seen in weeks. I sent it to my daughter who is well aware of my dislike for birthdays. Glad I am not alone. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I feel terrible for missing your Bday!! I have been traveling/vacationing so much of August I've neglected the blogosphere. So much has happened in my virtual absence.... You look marvelous by the way :)
ReplyDelete