Ignorance: So Very Unblissful

Well, as a writer, it's difficult to admit my ignorance. I sometimes have to look up the poet laureate, just in case someone asks. Before a literary event, I may be found browsing through major poetry websites, brushing up on who's who in both old and contemporary poetry. I haven't read all the classics; there hasn't been enough time. People look at me in wonder when I admit I've never read Moby Dick (it's on my long, long list of to-reads). So, it pains me to tell you this: I HAVE NEVER READ DANA GIOIA. Before today, that is. I should leave it at that, but the truth is that I thought Gioia was some old dead dude. Nope. He's totally alive and totally brilliant. Thankfully, you can always resolve your ignorances. In case you are as lame as me, here's a sample of Gioia:

Pity the Beautiful

Pity the beautiful,

the dolls, and the dishes,

the babes with big daddies

granting their wishes.

Pity the pretty boys,

the hunks, and Apollos,

the golden lads whom

success always follows.

The hotties, the knock-outs,

the tens out of ten,

the drop-dead gorgeous,

the great leading men.

Pity the faded,

the bloated, the blowsy,

the paunchy Adonis

whose luck’s gone lousy.

Pity the gods,

no longer divine.

Pity the night

the stars lose their shine.

In my defense, there is a timeless quality to this piece. I feel like it was written at least fifty

years ago. And, it rhymes! I want to scream Look at that! He rhymed and it was awesome!

This is fabulous. I am a better person today. And more blissful. 

Note: I first read this poem in Poetry (May 2011), and it can be found on The Poetry

Foundation's website.