I love most of what Tony Hoagland writes, but there’s something I truly worship about this particular poem.
It is both beautiful and accessible.
Both story and metaphor.
Both humor and utter conviction.
It is, in the end, an impassioned, heartsick, lusty poet’s call-to-arms.
Feel, it says.
Connect, it urges.
Care, it pleads.
Personal
BY TONY HOAGLAND
Don’t take it personal, they said;
but I did, I took it all quite personal—
the breeze and the river and the color of the fields;
the price of grapefruit and stamps,
the wet hair of women in the rain—
And I cursed what hurt me
and I praised what gave me joy,
the most simple-minded of possible responses.
(Read the rest here...)
That one is going in my notebook right now.
Wow. LOVE. ♥ Thank you.
Must read more Tony Hoagland now.
Hoagland is new to me and I am so happy to have found this! Thanks!
That’s just wonderful.
And I’ve discovered that the truth about the grown-up world is that we’re not so grown up. We do take things at the emotional and personal level, even when we tell ourselves it’s “just business.”
Tony Hoaglund is new to me too. I need to print this one out and swish it around in my mouth and brain for awhile. Thank you.
Carol
“Oh life! Can you blame me
for making a scene?”
Love it!
Thank you. This made my day.
A.