Magic Words

Whether you love poetry or appreciate it or don't really like it all, I hope you have or will read at least one poem in your life that feels like magic. The words will open up a special place inside you, and you'll never be the same. Let today be the day. Pick a poem and carry it with you, in your pocket and in your heart.

Happy Poem in Your Pocket Day 2015!

Here are the poems my family and I are carrying around today.

N's poem (he's 4):

Magic Words to Feel better

after Nakasuk, translated by Edward Field

INUIT SONG

SEA GULL

who flaps his wings

over my head

                      in the blue air,

you GULL up there

dive down

                 come here

take me with you

                            in the air!

Wings flash by

my mind's eye

and I'm up there sailing

in the cool air,

                        a-a-a-a-a-ah,

                                             in the air.

K's poem:

One Day

by Robert Creeley

One day after another--

perfect.

They all fit.

My poem:

The First Book

by Rita Dove

Open it.

Go ahead, it won't bite.

Well . . . maybe a little.

More a nip, like. A tingle.

It's pleasurable, really.

You see, it keeps on opening.

You may fall in.

Sure, it's hard to get started;

remember learning to use

knife and fork? Dig in:

You'll never reach bottom.

It's not like it's the end of the world--

just the world as you think

you know it.