What do we hold to?
This sweet world -- how
we love it, as an old horse
loves the harness, loves
the stall, the drenching smell
of leather, of work and rest,
of sweat and hay. Dust-
slanted, cricket-singing, the barn --
even when it's burning.
So, I've been working hard on "Systems of Knowledge." My friend Welwyn read the draft today and said, "oh, I see, you're defining humanity." I looked at her. "Yeah, I thought I'd take that on. I've been looking for a small project."
Anyway, "Systems" (which might need a new title) is a little out of control, sort of like the sea is out of control. And bigger than I'd thought it was going to be. This section is coming together: it goes "what have we forgotten" "what do we hold to," "what ends," and "what remains." I can see the line of argument moving through those pieces, and am pleased with the way they pull together. But other sections are still fragmentary. I'm hoping more material will solve the problem. So, fans out there--yes, both of you--can watch this space!
Am I one of the two fans? I suspect you have lots more, only they're too abashed to write. After a while it starts sounding stupid to keep saying, "Wow, I really liked that poem."
But I really liked both the latest Systems poem and the Down poem. After reading the Down poem, I'm also really worried about that bird.
Love, P.
Personally, I've never minded hearing "Wow, I really liked that poem."