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from the issue of April 26, 2007
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American Life in Poetry
BY TED KOOSER, U.S. POET LAUREATE, 2004-2006
Houdini never gets far from the news. There's always a movie coming out, or a book, and every other magician has to face comparison to the legendary master. Here the California poet, Kay Ryan, encapsulates the man and says something wise about celebrity.
Houdini
Each escape
involved some art,
some hokum, and
at least a brief
incomprehensible
exchange between
the man and metal
during which the
chains were not
so much broken
as he and they
blended. At the
end of each such
mix he had to
extract himself. It
was the hardest
part to get right
routinely: breaking
back into the
same Houdini.
Poem copyright (c) 2004 by Kay Ryan, whose most recent book of poetry is "The Niagara River" Grove Press, 2005. Reprinted from "Poetry," November, 2004, with permission of the author. This weekly column is supported by the UNL Department of English, The Poetry Foundation and The Library of Congress. This column does not accept unsolicited poetry.
GO TO: ISSUE OF APRIL 26
ARTS HEADLINES FOR APRIL 26
Sheldon offers preview of statewide exhibit
American Life in Poetry
Animation shorts open April 27
Award-winning Rocktavo to join April 29 performances
Capstone exhibit open through May 4
'Casino Royale' viewing is April 26
IN RESIDENCE
Shen Wei presents fusion of art forms, cultures April 28
'Thoroughly Modern' showcase is April 27
732792S37044X
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