Bibliofreakblog

FreeVerse: Could Have

This weekend I got this e-mail from my Mom:

Hi,
 I was reading your blog today and wanted to pass along two poems that have stayed with me.  The first is by Wislawa Szymborska which was written about the Nazi era.
 

“Could Have”  also translated as “There But for the Grace”
 
It could have happened.
It had to happen.
It happened earlier. Later.
Nearer. Farther off.
It happened, but not to you.
 
You were saved because you were the first.
You were saved because you were the last.
Alone.  With others.
On the right.  The left.
Because it was raining.  Because of the shade.
Because the day was sunny.
 
You were in luck — there was a forest.
You were in luck — there were no trees.
You were in luck – a rake, a hook, a beam, a brake,
   a jamb, a turn, a quarter inch, an instant.
You were in luck — just then a straw went floating by.
 
As a result, because, although, despite.
What would have happened if a hand, a foot,
within an inch, a hairsbreadth from an unfortunate coincidence.
 
So, you’re here? Still dizzy from another dodge, close shave, 
     reprieve?
One hole in the net and you slipped through?
I couldn’t be more shocked or speechless.
Listen,
how your heart pounds inside me.
 
Another poem I love is “Renascence” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, written when she was seventeen.  But she usually lied about her age.  Yet I do really think she was seventeen when she recited this because she wasn’t even famous yet.
It is way to long to type.  Look it up.
 
I wait to hear from you by phone.  Don’t want to disturb your sleep after your Halloween party.
Love,
Mom

My silly Mom…she didn’t think to Google the poem and copy/paste it.  I don’t know why.  But, it is really really long, so I’m just giving you guys this one today and I’ll save the other one for later on.

The funny thing is that my Mom never really liked poetry until she read How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry by Edward Hirsch.  

Oh, and don’t worry guys, I called my Mom yesterday.  Since she’s in Eastern Standard Time and I’m three hours behind in Pacific Standard Time, there’s only a small window of time that I can talk to her.  :(