Wednesday, 15 August 2012

On Poetry: Final Notions


Adrienne Rich, one of my favourite poets, had sadly passed away a few months ago. I thank her, gratefully, for the beautiful words she has left behind.


It will not be simple, it will not take long 
It will take little time, it will take all your thought 
It will take all your heart, it will take all your breath 
It will be short, it will not be simple 

It will touch through your ribs, it will take all your heart 
It will not take long, it will occupy all your thought 
As a city is occupied, as a bed is occupied 
It will take your flesh, it will not be simple 

You are coming into us who cannot withstand you 
You are coming into us who never wanted to withstand you 
You are taking parts of us into places never planned 
You are going far away with pieces of our lives 

It will be short, it will take all your breath 
It will not be simple, it will become your will

- Final Notions; Adrienne Rich

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