| |
|
|
from the issue of December 7, 2006
|
| |
|
|
| |
American Life in Poetry
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006
This wistful poem shows how the familiar and the odd, the real and imaginary, exist side by side. A Midwestern father transforms himself from a staid businessman into a rock-n-roll star, reclaiming a piece of his imaginary youth. In the end, it shows how fragile moments might be recovered to offer a glimpse into our inner lives.
My Father Holds
the Door for Yoko Ono
In New York City for a conference
on weed control, leaving the hotel
in a cluster of horticulturalists,
he alone stops, midwestern,
crewcut,
narrow blue tie, cufflinks, wingtips,
holds the door for
the Asian woman
in a miniskirt and thigh high
white leather boots. She nods
slightly, a sad and beautiful
gesture.
Neither smile, as if performing
a timeless ritual, as if anticipating
the loss of a son or a lover.
Years later, Christmas, inexplicably
he dons my mother's auburn wig,
my brother's wire-rimmed glasses,
and strikes a pose clowning
with my second hand acoustic guitar.
He is transformed,
a working class hero
and a door whispers shut,
like cherry blossoms falling.
Reprinted from "Folio," Winter, 2004, by permission of the author. Copyright (c) 2004 by Christopher Chambers, who teaches creative writing at Loyola University New Orleans. This weekly column is supported by The Poetry Foundation, The Library of Congress, and the UNL Department of English. This column does not accept unsolicited poetry.
GO TO: ISSUE OF DECEMBER 7
ARTS HEADLINES FOR DECEMBER 7
POTTERY SALE
American Life in Poetry
Guitarist to play Club/Carson
Opera holiday program Dec. 9
Ross hosts opening of 'Half Nelson' Dec. 8
732652S36528X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|