Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Progress of Resolutions....

It is January 6th - a little less than one week after the euphoria of New Year's Day - the day when the future is bright and all things are possible.  Typically I have abandoned most resolutions at this point because I realize that my expectations were totally unrealistic and rather than persevere I find it easier to say "next year"

It is not that this year is necessarily different.  I have not made good on several of the resolutions, but I have attempted many and I refuse to give up. While I have yet to develop an exercise routine (although I have at least watched the videos), I have had daily devotions.  And while I have not developed a daily writing routine, I have journaled about the insights received from those devotions.  Baby steps --- I must keep reminding myself of the importance of baby steps.

While I continue to struggle to find the time - or the desire - to read a novel, I have actually taken baby steps towards completing two reading challenges that I did not join:  Fearless Poetry Exploration and Wendell Barry's Reading Challenge.  I went to the library today and picked up the book The Collected Poems of Wendell Barry, a book recommended by my sister-in-law who claims to have been as intimated by poetry as I am - until she read this book.  I decided to just allow the book to open where it may and read a selection from that page.  Here is what I found:

A Warning to My Readers

Do not think me gentle
because I speak in praise
of gentleness, or elegant
because I honor the grace
that keeps this world. I am
a man crude as any,
gross of speech, intolerant,
stubborn, angry, full
of fits and furies.  That I
may have spoken well
at times, is not natural.
A wonder is what it is.

I consider this a warning to my own readers.  Somehow this author, who is totally unfamiliar to me as I am to him, has captured the essence of my being.  Perhaps this is what poetry is all about.  Finding ourselves in the words of others.

12 comments:

  1. Great post, Molly! As you know, I'm not much of a poetry fan either, but I have to admit, that's a wonderful poem!

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  2. Baby steps are definitely important. My motto is one day at a time and try to do a little better the next day. I like the excerpt you found.

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  3. Oh, I love this, Molly! And that's a great approach to the Collected Poems - wonderful how he introduced himself to you:) Hope you continue to enjoy!

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  4. That really grabbed me as well, Molly. I like the idea of just letting a book of poems open where it will. I always find that reading a poem aloud is the best way to enjoy it. Of course, sipping coffee at the local Starbucks and reading poetry aloud makes one seem a bit odd, doesn't it? Oh well . . .

    I like your attitude about your resolves. Day by day. Enjoy this one.

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  5. It sounds like I should try some of Wendell Barry's poetry, since I'm intimidated by poetry as well.

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  6. This is great - and I love that poem! Is there another way to read a poetry collection? Although I'm just a beginner, the 'open where it may method' seems to work for me, too.

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  7. Baby steps are definitely the way to keep you on the road to accomplishing your goals. Good luck with them Molly.

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  8. I think "baby steps" actually = progress, so keep the positive outlook. Making time for daily devotions helps keep everything else in proportion, so it's great that you have made that a priority.

    I love poetry, but am also a bit intimidated. Love the Barry poem - a beautiful description of most writers.

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  9. Baby steps...the right way to start!!

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  10. I like that - "Finding ourselves in the words of others." I think that is what writing is about in general, but especially poetry.

    I am intimidated by poetry too by the way, so I don't read it often.

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  11. I was never a fan of poetry in school, but this one somehow speaks to me. Thanks for sharing Molly, and thank you for the sweet comments and prayers for my SIL.

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  12. Baby steps is definitely the way to go!

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