Myra here.
Thank you to Margaret at Reflections On The Teche for hosting this week.
I chanced upon this poem on my social media as shared by one of my poet friends. Recently, I have been noticing that poetry does not have as much power over me as it did before. I think this may be because life has been consuming me ever so thoroughly with what ought to be done: daily routines, emails to answer, documents to sign, deadlines to meet, etcetera. Poetry is that one thing that allows me to just be still and breathe. And so, when a poem stirs something in me, I pay attention.
I hope If You Knew by Ellen Bass stirs something in you too.
Gathering Books 
❤️
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Hi Myra, who his soaked in honey! Thank you for this poem. Interesting, your observation about how poetry isn’t affecting you as much as in the past. I like to think of poetry as a relationship, and by nature there are ups and downs…and also perhaps we become more discerning readers over time, demanding more from the experience? Thank you for sharing your poetry life with us. xo
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I too resonated with your comment about poetry not affecting you as much as in the past. I think sometimes we’re so busy holding everything in place we don’t have time (or ability) to slow and soften enough to let the poems settle and dwell.
So much to think about in this poem.
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Wow—this is such an impactful poem! It definitely makes you think about the fragility of life, and it’s impressively short for so much impact. Thank you for sharing this poem!
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Stunning poem! My brother, 92, in hospital at the moment… this poem makes me stop and think also… Thank you for sharing.
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It’s good to have you back today, Myra. It is a beautiful poem, and the thought is an important one. Blessings to you this week.
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My husband tells me he reads too fast for poetry. It does require one to slow down a bit to taste it. I’ve found great comfort in Poetry Unbound podcast from On Being. This is an amazing poem from Ellen Bass that hits the gut, especially after I cursed out another driver today. When will we ever learn to respect each other?
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Talk about a poem to slow me down and make me think! “I don’t remember / they’re going to die” and “pinned against time.” Wow.
I think I first met Ellen Bass on Tracy Smith’s podcast (oh how I miss it!) The Slowdown. I love her even more, now. I need to find more of her poems.
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Thanks, Myra, for this gift of a poem. I know I like Ellen Bass’s work…I guess I better go find more! That last stanza…
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