The hush of the very good

Those of you who are into poetry, are probably familiar with the feeling that in most collections there are only a couple of poems, or perhaps ten at the most, that resonate with your own disposition at a given time. When you reread a collection, these favourites may have changed. I’m a lazy reader and most of the time I take my cue from Jonathan Caroll’s blog who ever so often includes a poem. If I like it, it prompts me to order the collection. Usually, this happens when the poem in question puts things around us in a different light, as in the case of Todd Boss’ poem “Things, like dogs”. The whole of section five (and other pieces) in his collection “Yellowrocket” offers a things’ perspective. But this one, at the start of section 3, resonated the most, and I cannot stop reading it over and over again.

Resolutions

will not fail. will write all blog entries on my list. will not fail. will finish my thesis. will not fail. will be happy. will not fail. will find a new job. will not fail. will lose more weight. will not fail. will indulge in (writing) poetry. will not fail. will launch an e-journal. will not fail. will submit articles. will not fail. will enjoy myself. will not fail. will cry my heart out. will not fail. will eat. will not fail. will stand tall. will not fail. will save energy. will not fail. will make friends. will not fail.