Burning Love
February 05, 2014 |
| Photo courtesy dimitri_c |
It pains an old booklover like me to think of somebody
burning a book, but if you’ve gotten one for a quarter and it’s falling apart,
well, maybe it’s OK as long as you might be planning to pick up a better copy.
Here Ron Koertge, who lives in Pasadena ,
has some fun with the ashes of love poems. [Introduction by Ted Kooser.]
Burning the Book
Burning the Book
The anthology of love poems I bought
for a quarter is brittle, anyway, and comes
apart when I read it.
One at a time, I throw pages on the fire
and watch smoke make its way up
and out.
I’m almost to the index when I hear
a murmuring in the street. My neighbors
are watching it snow.
I put on my blue jacket and join them.
The children stand with their mouths
open.
I can see nouns—longing, rapture, bliss—
land on every tongue, then disappear.
2 comments
Dear Kathy -
ReplyDeleteI certainly feel the way you do about burning a book. Books are my friends and I love each one even if they are old and tattered. Lovely poem too - especially for the winter season.
By the way I love your Blog title...I always catch some happiness when I come to visit. Have a delightful day.
I'm so glad you've caught some happiness here! You made my day. I appreciate your visits and comments, and I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.
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