April 1, 2005--12:05 am--Sacramento, CA
In honor of National Poetry Month, I plan to post a poem every day in April, 2010. Offerings will be either one of my favorite poems or a poem written by me.
I often tell my students that poems have saved my life.
Of course, I admit to them that sounds terribly dramatic--yet, in so many ways, it resounds with such truth.
I love the condensed collection of words that bring such unexpected responses--sometimes quiet, sometimes humorous, often magical and important.
My first poem will be by the poet William Stafford. This poems is one of my very favorites. One of the reasons I like it so much is because, for me, it seems to be so universal. It reminds me of how difficult it can be to make a decision, which makes life so exciting and so frustrating.
| Traveling Through The Dark |
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| | Traveling through the dark I found a deer
dead on the edge of the Wilson River road.
It is usually best to roll them into the canyon:
that road is narrow; to swerve might make more dead.
By glow of the tail-light I stumbled back of the car
and stood by the heap, a doe, a recent killing;
she had stiffened already, almost cold.
I dragged her off; she was large in the belly.
My fingers touching her side brought me the reason--
her side was warm; her fawn lay there waiting,
alive, still, never to be born.
Beside that mountain road I hesitated.
The car aimed ahead its lowered parking lights;
under the hood purred the steady engine.
I stood in the glare of the warm exhaust turning red;
around our group I could hear the wilderness listen.
I thought hard for us all--my only swerving--,
then pushed her over the edge into the river.
William Stafford |
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