Dire Poetry
Posted at 4:24 AM on January 30, 2009
by Dale Connelly
(28 Comments)
I heard some commentators criticizing Elizabeth Alexander after the inaugural. She's the poet who had the misfortune to read her work to the frozen millions just AFTER the event they had waited for and suffered for and prayed for had finally occurred. She was put in the awkward position of asking for their attention at the very moment the happy throngs were free at last to go seek shelter and warmth and bask in the fresh glory of their participation in an historic moment.
No wonder her poem fell a little flat.
But it takes more than snarky reviews and unfortunate timing to kill good poetry.
And less-than-good poetry? Nothing can stop that. Less-than-good poetry will live forever in greeting cards and Christmas letters and blogs that sit empty until the last minute, then fill up with dull images and tired rhymes because that's what it takes to get the job done. I should know!
There is no other month so very
Long and bleak as January.
When it starts, the world is "new"
New Year, new month, new plans, new you.
But new realities set in
And start to desiccate your skin.
New frigid wind. New biting cold.
Your frozen hands start looking old
As Tutankhamun's crusty cheeks.
While January's twenty weeks
Unroll as slowly as a hearse
crawls down the street, or even worse,
the graveyard! Where they cheer, it's said,
on hearing ... "January's dead."
Too dark? What do you expect? Look at the calendar!
At least it's short, unlike you-know-what.
Is there anything you'll miss about January?
Comments (28)
Hey Heartlanders - good morning.
What I already miss about January is being able to replay the Saturday night shows of RH. Dale and Mike, you have put on some really good shows, and I wish I could listen again. Especially the one with all the steel guitar music. Any chance they will be archived?
I missed last Saturday but read Sat's Trial Balloon, and didn't know that Dylan had a song named "Isis". That's my cat, so would you mind playing that this morning? We'd both enjoy that.
I believe this quote was on the "Writers Almanac" the other day and it sums up January for me:
Chekhov said, "Any idiot can face a crisis; it is this day-to-day living that wears you out."
I don't like to wish my life away, and I struggle with that in January.
Hi Dale and Gang--
I look forward January every year, for it is then I take a few weeks for writing. It's my best possible time for it because there are no other distractions. That said, this January has been tough--I've really been wrestling with the angel. I'll miss the January quiet, but I'm glad this session is over--
Thanks for playing Goodnight, Irene!
Michelle, I can really relate to that Chekhov quote, which brings me to what I'll miss about January. January always gives me a chance for new beginnings, probably because I'm living under a new set of job goals for the year. For the first few weeks of January there's anticipation for the new. By this time in month, it's back to day-to-day living.
Greetings Heartlanders:
I guess I'm one of the few that enjoyed her poem -- but I'm no critic or knowledgeable of poetry. It wasn't that long either, but it was bad timing certainly.
Anyway, I'm sort of with Michelle -- I struggle to not wish my days away during January. But you do have a good excuse for cocooning during January -- just staying in, drinking hot tea and cuddling with family. But 4-5 nights a week I still go to karate!
Gail,
The Saturday night audio should be available.
Try this link to the MPR website, or just go there and choose "Radio Heartland" from the programs menu.
Thanks for the kind words about our Saturday show!
When I was in 4th grade, my class performed in a monthly assembly, singing a song about January to the tune of Oklahoma (January... when the wind comes sweeping down the plain). I've always remembered that day - it must have been an omen for moving up here. Since I chose this cold part of the world over where I grew up, I've always had a bittersweet appreciation for January. And besides, what great goat stories comes from the cold of January! Do you have "Oklahoma" in the library, to remind me of that January assembly?
This is the first year in 10 or 15 years that I didn't get through January by directing a community theatre play for a February performance. I miss that, especially as I see the publicity for the production that replaced our little one act comedies. But I always have my birthday to break up the month...
Like Michelle, I don't really care to wish my life away. That said, it has been a long, dark, and cold winter, and I am willing to place my faith in the groundhog now.
Oh Dale,
You can write anything and it's great. Your poem is all about timing. It doesn't matter that it evokes images of ourselves as frozen zombies with chapped skin. January is finally ending - another month closer to summertime! That reminds me, have you decided if you're taking the field trip up to Blackhoof? Everyone's talking about it. Sure hope all the Captain 11 fans can make it. It will be fun to reminisce and it sounds like Kay H. knows some good dirt. Barb said she'll make deviled eggs and I'll bring jello shots. That doesn't mean that anyone else can't bring them too, though, if they want. The more pretty colors, the better!
I normally look forward to January because it represents a time when the pace returns to something resembling normalcy after the hectic holidays. This year was different because 2008 was trying in so many ways.
Had it not been for the anticipation of the inauguration and what it represents, this would have been a month with very little going for it. Now we just have the rest of 2009 to look forward to!
By the way, I've enjoyed listening this morning... I haven't heard Leo Kottke or Richie Havens in a long time! Was the Nanci Griffith song the one about the 10 year old girls discussing their future? Great song.
Jennifer Warnes!!! Wonderful! (Ok... I'll stop now.)
Field trip to Blackhoof? I'm just hearing about it. Count me in!!! I will finish out January thinking about what I can bring...great way to end the long winter month.
My husband and I have long felt that January should be a time for family vacations. Our vision includes restructuring the school year, so that all school systems are closed for the month of January. Families could take tropical vacations, schools would save money by not having to heat the buildings, children who are not on vacation could remain safe at home, instead of out on dangerous country roads on the bus. Think of all of the seasonal depression that could be treated in this way!
Good Morning!
January is the month where the days start getting longer and as a SAD sufferer it's a glorious awakening to the reality that we haven't sunk into a ever darkening black hole. The cold doesn't thrill me and there is still plenty of it left but January shines like no other for the hope it brings.
I'm with Joanne on Elizabeth Alexander's poem though I didn't care much for the grand pauses in her delivery.
Field trip to Blackhoof? I must have missed it, shame that...
Given my happiness with the returning daylight perhaps Robin & Linda Williams' song about the town of Early would be a great addition to this morning's playlist?
Dale,
Thank you for the link to Sat nights show!
Gail, I have a funny story about the song Isis. My son Brent had his golden birthday on May 24th 2007 which is also Bob Dylans birthday and he had a party with his friends bands playing. One of his friends did Isis and he came over to us and said "I never knew Bob Dylan had a song called Isis, I guess that's why my cat was named Isis" Yes, in fact that was true.
Isis oh Isis you mystical child.
i retired at the end of Feb. 2008, just before Dodger and Dream kidded. i can't believe it's been almost a year without (paid) work. i really enjoyed January - working in the barn - trying for more kids - it was cold but the animals amaze me in their hardiness and spirit. and i didn't have to get in the cold car at 7 a.m. and drive to work.
Donna said it so beautifully, Dale - that anything you write is great. and we appreciate you and Mike and RH - you helped make January memorable!
re the Blackhoof field trip: we'd love it! i've never had jello shots, but i'm sure they go with deviled eggs. very Minnesota. and then we'd need "bars" of course. and Cynthia, i had already volunteered your help and enthusiasm (in another day's comments, late in the day) thanks for the giggle. maybe someday it will actually happen.
Dear Dale--
What a gift! Deep thanks for Speaking with the Angel--
soothing to a weary heart.
Yes, the angel is my muse---the phrase comes from the biblical Jacob who spent the night wrestling with an angel, saying "I will not let thee go except thou bless me."
Hi Dale,
Your comments just now about rigging a stereo to play input from the internet are well taken. A pain indeed. We have connected a low power FM transmitter to the computer, and listen to streaming audio and mp3s on the stereo, clock radios and boomboxes around the house. Has worked great for a couple years. No complaints. Anyone interested in doing this should google ccrane and take it from there. I have no stake in them FYI, I just like listening to RadioHeartland, Wonderground Radio and lot of other good programming anywhere in my house where there's a radio.
January is the month of hope, renewal and acceptance. It is a month that, for a few moments, you have the confidence that you can conquer the world if only you could keep that New Years Resolutions. Old budgets are thrown out and new ones are made with a vow that this year you will stay within it. Scales are brought out of the closet, with the confidence that the pounds will just melt off. By the time that February, the month of love, starts to loom up in the horizon, reality starts to sink in and you settle into a mode of acceptance that life will go on as it always has. I will miss the month of fantasy and illusion.
Good morning all-
Just wanted to send our sincere thanks for introducing us to the Brass Kings. Our first exposure was at the final Morning Show event. They are as much fun to watch as they are to listen to!! We use our old galvanized wash tubs for hauling vegetables. Never knew you could make music with them . . .
Thanks, Dale, for the link to the Saturday night archive! You are my Winky Dink bridge for the day!
Kate, that is a good Isis story! My Isis' mom was named Sipsy Doodle, and I wanted something more regal, and I went for a goddess name.
January is a wonderful time for me. Well, I am a person who loves winter. This has been a particularly fab year for outdoor skating. But the best thing about January for me is that the holiday madness is over, and it's a most welcome chance to do things like read novels, visit museums, have lunch with family and friends, and do all the "normal" things that I forego once gardening season kicks in. From April to November, all my non-job hours are devoted to the garden addiction-set up, ongoing maintenance, and tear down.
Have a happy weekend, Heartlanders! Me, I'm sitting here laughing about the song Last Day of Pompeii on the last days of January! Nice work Dale and Mike. "Talk" to you all in February!
oh, yeah, we can make the field trip happen for real....you betcha! i'll bring a hot dish, or maybe some scandinavian cookies....Barb, if you're really up for it, send an email to kayh@search-institute.org and we'll work it out! (Mark, you didn't miss it!---i usually write pretty late in the program time)
ah, january...yes, loving that the days are getting longer, that's hopeful...it has seemed that the weeks are very long...but weirdly, i went outside this a.m. and felt that the air wasn't too bad-----and now dale says it's 4 below---guess i've adapted more than i realized.
re the inaugural poem---i especially liked the ending part---and think that sometimes great writers aren't the best at reading their own work....
loved your poem, dale, and i appreciate your occasional darkenss---reality has its dark side---
And after January . . . comes Frugal February. It's something my folks' taught me: use February to get caught up on your finances. Live frugally all month, not just putting off spending you don't need, but actually spending less and enjoying life more. And if it's difficult, it won't be for long, 'cause February is the shortest month.
Enjoy Frugal February, everyone!
I'm one of those who like the poem. I printed out a copy to read again. Probably easier to ponder in a warm space rather than being out in the cold in D.C. Really liked the poem you posted, Dale. And love the Chekhov line -laughed out loud.
I'm a true northerner and like the winter (and brilliant sunshine on the snow). But so nice to have more daylight now without the exhausting heat of July and August.
I don't post here very often, but so enjoy all the comments. Thanks, all! Dale and Mike, fabulous playlist (especially songs like "I'm a Hog for You"). Incredible variety.
Thanks Dale & Mike & fellow Heartlanders for another great week of Radio Heartland! As for the darkness of Dale's poem, I say that until you have sobbed uncontrollably you don't really know the joy of a deep belly laugh; Kay is right that reality has its dark side.
I assume that since you are now blogging that the Blogger Garb sponsorship will return soon. Given that I'm often picking up the show on my iPhone I almost feel like I am wearing Blogger Garb already!
Off to the weekend, yippeee!
I'm with Cynthia; a true northerner. I love the winter and don't mind January at all. I like the spring as well, but it makes me meloncholy because I know that summer will be coming soon. In the long days of June and July, I always feel like folks are just a little too frenetic. It's like everyone is crazy busy trying to get all of their leisure in before September!
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