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from the issue of March 27, 2008
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American Life in Poetry
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006
In this endearing short poem by Californian Trish Dugger, we can imagine "what if?" What if we had been given "a baker's dozen of hearts?" I imagine many more and various love poems would be written. Here Ms. Dugger, Poet Laureate of the City of Encinitas, makes fine use of the one patched but good heart she has.
Spare Parts
We barge out of the womb
with two of them: eyes, ears,
arms, hands, legs, feet.
Only one heart. Not a good
plan. God should know we
need at least a dozen,
a baker's dozen of hearts.
They break like Easter eggs
hidden in the grass,
stepped on and smashed.
My own heart is patched,
bandaged, taped, barely
the same shape it once was
when it beat fast for you.
Poem copyright (c) 2006 by Trish Dugger. Reprinted from "Magee Park Poets: Anthology 2007," No. 18, Friends of the Carlsbad City Library, 2006, by permission of Trish Dugger. Introduction copyright (c) 2008 by The Poetry Foundation. This column is made possible by the Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org) and supported by the UNL Department of English. This column does not accept unsolicited poetry.
GO TO: ISSUE OF MARCH 27
ARTS HEADLINES FOR MARCH 27
The art of Shibori
American Life in Poetry
Blakeman event is March 27
'City of Men,' 'Band's Visit' open March 28 at the Ross
Dreher's book explores black entertainers
Great Plains museum hosts LPS exhibition
MFA EXHIBIT
'One Mind' exhibit closes March 28
Palma to discuss photo exhibit during March 28 opening
Student cast readies for 'Carousel'
'Technology's Impact on Design' exhibit opens March 28
Time for Three plays City and East campuses
Ying Quartet to play March 28 at Sheldon
733128S38075X
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