I Am So Over All That Midnight Dreary, Pondering Weak and Weary


For me, the last couple of decades have been a glorious gambol. Sure, a couple of guys broke my heart, and a slew of annoying fine lines started creeping in around my eyes, but, on the flip side, I began investing in more expensive shoes, spooning every night with a man superior to those who previously dented me, and discovering that a full-time salary can purchase heckalotta dark chocolate.

Oh, and I also realized poetry doesn’t always have to make me lie down in a darkened room and long for a pretty boy to place a moist cloth upon my brow.

When I was studying English in college, poetry felt like the suck. I was always, “Huh?” and “What the fetzpah?” and “Who said hummanuh?” in class, cowering in the back row, trying to avoid participation–yet ready to blurt out, if called upon, “It’s a Christ figure and/or beauty is a means of conveying the truth! And if neither of those, then dusk is imminent death, and every rose has its thorn!!”

My head came to hate poesy.

Being so negative, I was, thus, primed for a dramatic turnabout. Because–who knew?–there is actually a fair amount of kickass poetry in the world. Too bad Them Alls in Charge don’t teach it in the stuffy classrooms.

Hey. Wait. I think I may just be one of Them Alls in Charge these days. On occasion, when I’ve not been able to sidestep it (such as when one-third of the curriculum in my British Lit class focused on The Romantics, and damn my hide but those poncy absinthe-drinking boys only cranked out rhymers), I’ve had to bring poetry into my own classrooms, which, yes, are literally quite the hell stuffy because my college is ventilation-impaired and likes to take one big classroom, chop it into three smaller ones, and then not actually consider airflow in the new layout, which means that the new classrooms are generally, kid you not, 86 degrees and that–HELLO, PLATO–is not exactly the best path to good education. Seriously, is there any other more stultifying English equation than poetry + 86 degrees + class held after lunch = kill me now?

So, anyhow, for a variety of reasons, I am profoundly appreciative whenever I find a poet who actually keeps readers awake and writes clear sense in real words and doesn’t stress out my fluffy brain or cause my armpits to sweat even a tidge more because then those big perspiration circles would reach down to my waist.

The latest find in my continual search for Poetry That Keeps My Humours in Balance came, as so many good things do, over the airwaves of public radio. Some weeks back, I heard an interview with Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno, herself an English teacher, but, in the case of her latest volume of poems, more importantly a mother…whose daughter was murdered–strangled by an ex-boyfriend. In Bonanno’s recounting, the poems come together to form a narrative of that event and its aftermath.

Clearly, Slamming Open the Door is not low-density reading.

However.

Bonanno’s style is accessible, frank, heartwrending. Most refreshing of all, she’s one poet whom I’m pretty sure I’d like, were I to meet her. I would like to invite her to come sweat and do a reading in my non-ventilated classroom.

I would bring her a Frappucino. At the end, the students would clap with more than vegetative politeness, for she would leave them sitting up straight, amazed at the power of a words strung together with great deliberation.

Here, then, is an introduction to Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno, a woman who will make a true English major of me yet (in this, my 19th year of teaching English). In this poem, she draws upon the experience of her daughter’s memorial service and dispenses advice to all mourners, everywhere:

“What Not to Say”

Don’t say that you choked

on a chicken bone once,

and then make the sound,

kuh, kuh, and say

you bet that’s how she felt

Don’t ask in horror

why we cremated her

And when I stand

in the receiving line

like Jackie Kennedy

without the pillbox hat,

if Jackie were fat

and had taken

enough Klonopin

to still an ox,

and you whisper,

I think of youDon’t finish with

every day,

because I’ve been going

to Weight Watchers

on Tuesdays and wonder

if you want to go too.

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26 responses to “I Am So Over All That Midnight Dreary, Pondering Weak and Weary”

  1. Jazz Avatar
    Jazz

    Ouch…

  2. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Wow.

    I've been reading more and more poetry, getting really into it–there is a whole lot of great stuff out there. Two I've just discovered: I Wish I Had a Heart Like Yours, Walt Whitman, by Jude Nutter; and Becoming the Villainess, by Jeannine Hall Gailey.

  3. Pearl Avatar
    Pearl

    Joce, that was the coolest thing ever. I would attend that class, remain awake, AND ask questions.

    Hummanuh hummanuh.

    Pearl

  4. jess Avatar
    jess

    Ah ha ha, that picture is TEH AWESOME! Where did you find it? I love the poem, I agree about the romantics. Zzzzz. How do you feel about Billy Collins?

  5. ArtSparker Avatar
    ArtSparker

    Nicholson Baker's new novel about a stumped poet, The Anthologist, got a very good review from David Orr in the NYT book Review.

  6. Shieldmaiden96 Avatar
    Shieldmaiden96

    I found myself enjoying Mary Oliver and Marge Piercy in college, even if they caused me to contemplate death, my uterus, and the eventual effect of time and gravity on my then Pert Pair a little overmuch. It was far less uncomfortable than standing in a circle yelling 'Howl' at each other (Thanks, Dr. Jolliff, for THAT particular 15 minutes of yikes.)

  7. monica Avatar
    monica

    wow, knowing the pre story of the poem I giggled with a lump in my throat…. I am so sorry for her loss – the world can really be a terrible place…

  8. Becky Cazares Avatar
    Becky Cazares

    Okay, this is weird. My husband (the poet in the family) expounded to me about this book and author just last month and how I should find it for him. Then, this very morning, as I drove past the Poetry Center at school I tried desperately to dredge up from deep recesses a tiny smidgen about either to pop in to the poetry library and pick it up – but couldn't. Now I have both title and author! I'll get it for him tomorrow.

  9. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    Oh Jocelyn! Kiss kiss kiss. I love poetry. Just love it. I search for it like others search out a great pair of shoes, or fish for that mighty perch. The thrill of the chase, the joy of the find.You have some great poets. I'm on the mailing list for your U.S. Poetryfoundation. http://www.poetryfoundation.org. It's a great site, and inspiring.Thanks for this post, and all the best with your teaching.It's a mission of mine to prove that you don't have to tolerate poetry fitting like a bad dress…to choose poetry that suits.Great post!

  10. Fragrant Liar Avatar
    Fragrant Liar

    Okay, ya got me. I'm going to check her out. She rocks.

    And so do you, btw, Mz. English Teacher.

  11. Shania Avatar
    Shania

    I'm always looking for new reading material, so thanks for that!

    and I offer you my deepest sympathy for having to teach anything right after lunch.

  12. geewits Avatar
    geewits

    That's intense. Maybe the WW person was just trying to get her out of the house. But yeah, the timing was really bad.

  13. Green Girl in Wisconsin Avatar
    Green Girl in Wisconsin

    That was a great poem. And I confess I have tried and failed to read olde englishe poetrie with comprehension and appreciation.

    But to my credit I'm reading Treasure Island aloud to Mr. T and we're BOTH understanding it, so Yay on that!

  14. Jeni Avatar
    Jeni

    Strangely enough, I've always liked most poetry. (My friends would probably say that is because I am well, just plain strange though.) Granted, I have come across plenty of poetry that also left me really confused and that I didn't have a freaking clue what the hell it was all about over the years. But then, that could often sum up much of my life itself too much of the time.
    The book you recommend -one I haven't read (hadn't heard of it till you mentioned it here) does sound like one I would want to read though. And yes, 86 degrees in a classroom -trying to read poetry or anything "olde Englandish" is cruel and unusual punishmnent for sure.

  15. chelle Avatar
    chelle

    I always tried to get into poetry but it is so not my thing.

  16. heartinsanfrancisco Avatar
    heartinsanfrancisco

    Wow. Holy shit. That's poetry. I've never heard of this woman/mother/poet before, so thank you for the introduction.

    I always liked Muriel Rukeyser and Paul Engel (creator of the Iowa Writer's Workshop,) both of whom exemplify "real" as opposed to precious, posturing poetry.

  17. Michelle Wells Grant Avatar
    Michelle Wells Grant

    Oh man. Amazing. I was an English major as well but never did anything English-y with it, professionally, that is. (I do write here and there.) I love that you've been teaching for so long! I'll now look for Bonanno. I just discovered Erica Jong as a poet, not realizing that she is aka Erica Mann, the poet who wrote one my favorite poems called Autumn Perspective. I've loved that poem forever, even sent my daughter off to college with it tucked into her suitcase. Never knew they were one and the same. Thought provoking post! Thank you!

  18. Jenn @ Juggling Life Avatar
    Jenn @ Juggling Life

    Incredible. The list of things I need to read is getting mighty lengthy.

  19. Logophile Avatar
    Logophile

    ok, I will admit to being a poetry lover
    BUT
    I have a confession to make;
    (lean in a little closer. I'll try not to spit on the 'p's and 'b's)
    I have NEVER taken a college poetry class because I KNEW they would spoil it for me.
    My sister took a poetry class in her sophomore year of college while I was still in high school (and there I only did a poetry appreciation course) and although we grew up in a home where poetry was loved and often read she HATED the class. I learned from this.

    Anyway, I shall be forward just for a moment and suggest you check this out:
    http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/

    Although the front page today is E. Barrett Browning, whom I would bet good money is NOT your cuppa tea but they have also featured Auden, whom I personally ADORE
    http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2009/08/10
    and then some other, also fun
    http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2009/08/26
    or touching poems
    http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2009/09/08

    You can subscribe to the almanac and they will send it right to your inbox and you can listen to Garrison Keillor read it if you like.

  20. lime Avatar
    lime

    she has conjured a surreal moment honestly and effectively. and really, isn't that what the very best poets do? capture something honestly.

    in an entirely opposite direction and just for a bizarre twist, may i recommend zombie haiku by ryan mecum.

  21. thecheekofgod Avatar
    thecheekofgod

    Thanks for passing along this recommendation.

    You might also enjoy Lisa Zimmerman's "How the Garden Looks From Here" . . .

  22. cathy Avatar
    cathy

    HOW DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE JUST THE RIGHT POST TO SAVE ME FROM SELF PITY?

  23. Midlife Jobhunter Avatar
    Midlife Jobhunter

    Oh, I liked that.

    I've always had such difficulty with poetry. Always makes me feel stupid. English major that I am hasn't helped with the understanding. I continue to try.

    I think I would like you very much as a teacher. Ventilation or not.

  24. AmyTree Avatar
    AmyTree

    Right! I'm buying that book (and the Zombie Haiku that Lime recommended!). I have a darling friend who LOVES poetry and is always looking for something new – thank you!!!!

  25. heartinsanfrancisco Avatar
    heartinsanfrancisco

    Jocelyn, I've been trying since yesterday to comment on your sunflower post but there is a large gray square covering the comment link. Is anyone else having a problem?

  26. Logophile Avatar
    Logophile

    OK, all I can say is,
    I hope you check for new comments under older posts :p

    I couldnt find an email for you but I just found this poem and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I didn't want to go stick it in your current comments but I wanted to share.

    Courtesy of the Writer's Almanac

    And the Cantilevered Inference Shall Hold the Day
    by Michael Blumenthal

    Things are not as they seem: the innuendo of everything makes
    itself felt and trembles towards meanings we never intuited
    or dreamed. Take, for example, how the warbler, perched on a

    mere branch, can kidnap the day from its tediums and send us
    heavenwards, or how, held up by nothing we really see, our
    spirits soar and then, in a mysterious series of twists and turns,

    come to a safe landing in a field, encircled by greenery. Nothing
    I can say to you here can possibly convince you that a man
    as unreliable as I have been can smuggle in truths between tercets

    and quatrains on scraps of paper, but the world as we know
    is full of surprises, and the likelihood that here, in the shape
    of this very bird, redemption awaits us should not be dismissed

    so easily. Each year, days swivel and diminish along their inscrutable
    axes, then lengthen again until we are bathed in light we were not
    prepared for. Last night, lying in bed with nothing to hold onto

    but myself, I gazed at the emptiness beside me and saw there, in the
    shape of absence, something so sweet and deliberate I called it darling.
    No one who encrusticates (I made that up!) his silliness in a bowl,

    waiting for sanctity, can ever know how lovely playfulness can be,
    and, that said, let me wish you a Merry One (or Chanukah if you
    prefer), and may whatever holds you up stay forever beneath you,

    and may the robin find many a worm, and our cruelties abate,
    and may you be well and happy and full of mischief as I am,
    and may all your nothings, too, hold something up and sing.

    http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2009/09/14

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