A friend recently shared this poem with me as one of her favorites and it has quickly become one of mine too. I want to give something I have made to people who matter to me and need to make a space in my days to do so.
The Rights
I want to give you
something I’ve made
some words on a page–as if
to say ‘Here are some blue beads’
or, ‘Here’s a bright red leaf I found on
the sidewalk’ (because
to find is to choose, and choice
is made. But it’s difficult:
so far I’ve found
nothing but the wish to give. Or
copies of old words? Cheap
and cruel; also senseless:
Take
this instead, perhaps–a half-
promise: If
I ever write a poem of a certain temper
(willful, tender, evasive,
sad & rakish)
I’ll give it to you.
— Denise Levertov
This is beautiful, Susan. I love the line —
“so far I’ve found / nothing but the wish to give.” Thanks for this gift to us on Poetry Friday.
Glad you enjoyed it.
This is lovely. I can see why it’s a favorite. It may just become one for me. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad it touched you too, Jone.
This poem brought tears to my eyes. It’s so much the basis of what I want to do, too. And it’s so very hard — which she captures in the poem. All the necessary time we spend among this and that, looking… but the core of desire is where it begins.
Thanks, Susan.
Sorry for the delay in a response, Jeannine. I thought this poem might touch you, as it did me. I am struggling, constantly, to move past the desire and into action.
So great.
Such a lovely poem, capturing a feeling and sentiment many of us aspiring poets have. Great choice. Thanks a million for sharing it. I’m mailing it to a good friend of mine.
Carlie
http://www.twinklingalong.blogspot.com
Re: So great.
So glad you are sharing it, Carlie.
Thanks so much for sharing this poem today, Susan! The “wish to give” is strong in us; finding how to do just that is indeed very difficult.
You’re welcome, Jama. Yes, that wish to give is strong….and the journey to how is difficult.
Yes, that feeling: “if I ever …” — that desire. Thanks for sharing this one today.
This is perfect for Poetry Friday, when we choose some words for each other and try to pick just the right ones to touch at least one soul (maybe just our own)!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it too. It seemed like the perfect Poetry Friday post to me too.
Yes. Thank you for giving these words to us today. They do so capture this longing, this seeking, this yearning to offer.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Amy.