A Moment with Philip Schultz
WHAT I LIKE AND DON'T LIKE
I like to say hello and goodbye.
I like to hug but not shake hands.
I prefer to wave or nod. I enjoy
the company of strangers pushed
together in elevators or subways.
I like talking to cabdrivers
but not receptionists. I like
not knowing what to say.
I like talking to people I know
but care nothing about. I like
inviting anyone anywhere.
I like hearing my opinions
tumble out of my mouth
like toddlers tied together
while crossing the street,
trusting they won't be squashed
by fate. I like greeting card cliches
but not dressing up or down.
I like being appropriate
but not all the time.
I could continue with more examples
but I'd rather give too few
than too many. The thought
of no one listening anymore––
I like that least of all.
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The poem is from Failure: Poems by Philip Schultz (Harcourt, 2007), which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry. It is a very good book.
_____________________________
In other news, I have a bad cold, but will soldier on into winter, regardless.
Ah, brave and tragic me.
posted by greg rappleye at 6:28 AM
5 Comments:
I love the cover of the book, I can so relate to that bend nail syndrome.
Hope you feel better soon!
Feel better!
At least you are getting the winter cold over with early.
I never quite understood the phrase just a cold. When I have a cold I feel like I'm dying.
Get better quick.
I like his dog.
"Toddlers tied together while crossing the street" fantastic simile that! Love the whole poem, brave and tragic you. Do hope the cold is better - have you sent it over here as I too have gone down with it - not brave and tragic just very "ratty."
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