Today I exchanged e-mails with the former poet laureate of the United States of America, Mark Strand. You know, because apparently I just exchange e-mails with really talented, famous poets.
And isn’t he a handsome fellow to boot? He was featured as the poet of the day over here. I looked him up, read his profile and listened to him read a couple more poems (all while working in my cubicle)—technology is awesome—and I loved his work.
And isn’t he a handsome fellow to boot? He was featured as the poet of the day over here. I looked him up, read his profile and listened to him read a couple more poems (all while working in my cubicle)—technology is awesome—and I loved his work.
I decided that I’d write him a letter right now. So I did—I told him how I think his work beautifully and skillfully and very subtly brings together elements of the larger universe (air, planets, cosmology) to hold up the smaller, closer meaningful stuff of everyday life. It’s gorgeous. The guy’s got skills.
I attempted to say this to him eloquently mindful that such “You’re great! Your writing touched me!” drivel must get old but that I wanted him to know that he has moved one more soul. I was thankful to have come across him and will be reading his books. I hoped that such things as my letter matter to him these days.
He wrote back a couple hours later (let’s hear it for technology one more time) thanking me for my letter, and said he wishes me all the best with my own work, and he appreciated it.
I feel good. If I were a poet, even a rich and famous one, I’d appreciate it if I touched the life of a stranger 2,000 miles away from me. And I’d like to know. I believe I will make a habit of this letter-of-appreciation sending.
Keeping Things Whole
by Mark Strand
I attempted to say this to him eloquently mindful that such “You’re great! Your writing touched me!” drivel must get old but that I wanted him to know that he has moved one more soul. I was thankful to have come across him and will be reading his books. I hoped that such things as my letter matter to him these days.
He wrote back a couple hours later (let’s hear it for technology one more time) thanking me for my letter, and said he wishes me all the best with my own work, and he appreciated it.
I feel good. If I were a poet, even a rich and famous one, I’d appreciate it if I touched the life of a stranger 2,000 miles away from me. And I’d like to know. I believe I will make a habit of this letter-of-appreciation sending.
Keeping Things Whole
by Mark Strand
In a field
I am the absence
of field.
This is
always the case.
Wherever I am
I am what is missing.
When I walk
I part the air
and always
the air moves in
to fill the spaces
where my body’s been.
We all have reasons
for moving.
I move
to keep things whole.
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