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from the issue of February 8, 2007
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American Life in Poetry
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006
Though parents know that their children will grow up and away from them, will love and be loved by others, it's a difficult thing to accept. Massachusetts poet Mary Jo Salter emphasizes the poignancy of the parent/child relationship in this perceptive and compelling poem.
Somebody Else's Baby
From now on they always are,
for years now
they always have been,
but from now on you know
they are, they always will be,
from now on when they cry and you say
wryly to their mother,
better you than me,
you'd better mean it, you'd better
hand over what you can't have, and gracefully.
Reprinted from "New Letters," vol. 72, no. 3-4, 2006, by permission of the poet. Copyright (c) 2006 by Mary Jo Salter, whose most recent book of poetry is "Open Shutters," Knopf, 2003. 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 FEBRUARY 8
ARTS HEADLINES FOR FEBRUARY 8
'Chris Ware' exhibition focused on Omaha-based graphic novel
American Life in Poetry
Arizona State duo to perform Feb. 15 at UNL
Art and Art History to host 'Modern Medicis' fund-raiser Feb. 17
Jazz masters offer Valentine's Day 'Duets'
'Words of My Perfect Teacher' opens Feb. 9
732715S36723X
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