Talk, share and listen

Finuala Dowling

I was meant to be writing a poem
but because I’m human I made a lasagne instead
while simultaneously composing a poem in my head
and thinking about an article I’d read, which said
poets on average live for only 62.2 years.
(It is Ferlinghetti’s fault, I think, that we look so long-lived.
Born 1919 and still going -- he may make a hundred.)
You can tell if a poet’s depressed, say researchers,
because we write more “I’s” and more “me’s” and choose
fewer words of rapport such as “talk”, “share” and “listen”.

Ho, hmm, talk, share and listen.

In fact I made two lasagnes since some people like meat
whereas others won’t eat things which once had feet.
I was cooking to escape my screen. On it were two lines:
Poets end their own lives
But politicians have to be shot.
How dreadful. I said that. I wish I had not.

Ho, hmm, talk, share and listen.

There is an art to making lasagne while simultaneously
composing a poem. Lasagnes are quite complicated
and deep. They come in layers with blank sheets
in between. Lasagnes are best assembled alone,
in a serious and contemplative atmosphere, and should,
wherever possible, be allowed to stand quite long
before being read aloud to create a frisson
at occasions where one gathers to talk, share and listen.

From Doo-Wop Girls of the Universe. Penguin: 2006

LitNet: 31 January 2006

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