Poem Pieces

In View of the Fact - A. R. Ammons

"until we die we will remember every
single thing, recall every word, love every
loss: then we will, as we must, leave it toothers to love, love that can grow brighterand deeper till the very end, gaining strengthand getting more precious all the way. . . ."I should learn to look at an empty skyAnd feel its total dark sublime,Though this might take me a little time."




The More Loving One - W. H. Auden
"were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time."

Know (revised)

I get so upset, so disappointed
in what you do
who you are
but you don't know
You helped give me life,
but sometimes I'm embarrassed
to say I know you
to be seen with you
but you don't know
You're not who they think you are
you're not who I want you to be
but you don't know

You don't know
that I wish you were there
supporting me
encouraging me
You don't know
that you could be more
so much more
if you'd just try
You don't know
that you're looked up to
an example
a leader
You don't know
that you have this chance
this responsibility
to make a difference

I wish I had the courage
to tell you what you don't know

RIT Invitational (revised)

So nervous I'm shaking

and feeling sick to my stomach

I'm looking for every excuse not to compete,

to somehow be able to just sit and cry

My first meet of collegiate track,

my first ever meet for indoor track

my first meet ever where you weren't going to be there

in the stands

cheering me on

screaming my name above all the noise.

I can always pick out your voice

no matter how loud the crowd is

or how much I try to tune you out

Your voice is always there

always encouraging

always comforting

always exactly what I need

to help me across that finish line

But I was picking up my pole
and walking to the runway,

as I searched the crowd frantically

you were nowhere to be found