Poet Jane Hirshfield said "... the feeling I have about poem-writing (is) that it is always an exploration, of discovering something I didn't already know. Who I am shifts from moment to moment, year to year. What I can perceive does as well. A new poem peers into mystery, into whatever lies just beyond the edge of knowable ground."
I bring a different poem to the writing classes each week, not only to inspire but to introduce new poets to the group members.
The Good Life by Jack Gilbert
When he wakes up, a weak sun is just rising over the side of the valley. It is eight degrees below ero in the house. He builds a fire and makes tea. Puts out seeds for the birds and examines the tracks in fresh snow, still trying to learn what lives here. He is writing a poem when his friend calls. She asks what he plans to do today. to write some letters, he tells her (because he is falling behind in his project of writing one every day for a month). She tells him how many letters famous poets write each day. Says she doesn’t mean that as criticism. After they hang up, he stands looking at the unanswered mail heaped high on the table. Gets back in bed and starts reworking his poem. ~ from Refusing Heaven (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009)