Patricia’s Poetry Pick No. 2

‘SONG’
BY TRACY K. SMITH

I think of your hands all those years ago
Learning to maneuver a pencil, or struggling
To fasten a coat. The hands you’d sit on in class,
The nails you chewed absently. The clumsy authority
With which they’d sail to the air when they knew
You knew the answer. I think of them lying empty
At night, of the fingers wrangling something
From your nose, or buried in the cave of your ear.
All the things they did cautiously, pointedly,
Obedient to the suddenest whim. Their shames.
How they failed. What they won’t forget year after year.
Or now. Resting on the wheel or the edge of your knee.
I am trying to decide what they feel when they wake up
And discover my body is near. Before touch.
Pushing off the ledge of the easy quiet dancing between us.

——

“Song” comes from Tracy K. Smith’s book/poetry collection Life on Mars.

I discovered ‘Song’ a few weeks ago while listening to On Being’s wonderful new(ish) podcast, Poetry Unbound. I highly encourage giving this particular episode a listen and then devouring the entire first season. It’s magical to hear Irish poet Pádraig Ó Tuama lilt through reading, bringing musical depth to each poem. Whether you’re familiar with the poem he’s chosen or not, his personal impressions are always worthwhile. I’m grateful this particular poem was brought to my attention, especially during this unprecedented COVID time, where we’re spending more time with our loved ones than ever before. ‘Song’ is a gentle reminder to me that there is always something beautiful and new to discover, observe and quietly appreciate about the one we love.