The Poetry Org

Poet of the Day: Frank Bidart

Frank Bidart has a way with dramatic monologue poems, unlike any other poet that I’m aware of. In fact, James Franco has made a short film based on his poem, “Herbert White.” Not sure where I can see this piece, but I’d love to, if anyone has suggestions on where to find it.

Two poems I’ve picked for you today are some of Bidart’s quintessential pieces, and though they’re a little long, both are fantastic reads. The first poem is the aforementioned “Herbert White,” about a psychopathic child-killer and necrophiliac. The second poem is called “Ellen West” and is about a woman with anorexia. Both poems are grave insights into human nature. Enjoy.

Poet of the Day: Mary Oliver

I’m not sure why Santa Barbara bookstores seem to only carry a lot of Mary Oliver and little to none of every other contemporary poet, but it seems that shelves here bear her works with some sort of favoritism. It’s interesting. But then again, Oliver is an interesting poet.

Mary Oliver is a very private poet, still living in Massachusetts after the death of her partner. I’ve always found her poetry to be private as well. Like the stars tell her secrets that they tell no one else.

Two poems I’ve picked for you today are Breakage and Gethsemane (printed below).

Gethsemane by Mary Oliver

The grass never sleeps.
Or the roses.
Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning.
Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept.
The cricket has such splendid fringe on its feet,
and it sings, have you noticed, with its whole body,
and heaven knows if it ever sleeps.
Jesus said, wait with me. And maybe the stars did, maybe
the wind wound itself into a silver tree, and didn’t move,
maybe,
the lake far away, where once he walked as on a
blue pavement,
lay still and waited, wild awake.
Oh the dear bodies, slumped and eye-shut, that could not
keep that vigil, how they must have wept,
so utterly human, knowing this too
must be a part of the story.

(Source: carabiner.stpaulqc.org)