Thursday, July 14, 2022

Poetry Friday: "Time to Hear Ourselves Think"



I've missed you! 

I haven't really had time to think lately as I've been traveling back and forth between my own town and my parents', helping them out with a number of health issues, and just trying to stay afloat. So Dick Allen's "Time to Hear Ourselves Think" feels like an appropriate choice for today. 

I hope you can enjoy some time this week to hear yourself think. 


Time to Hear Ourselves Think 
by Dick Allen 

We've missed that for years, not so much 
The thinking itself — that goes on regardless —
But the hearing of it, small waterwheels ....

(Read the whole thing here, at The Poetry Foundation.) 

~~~~~~~~~~~

10 comments:

Robyn Hood Black said...

Such a powerful poem, Karen - Thanks for sharing. Long-distance hugs to you as you navigate family needs and logistics. Here's to a wee bit of quiet and rest somewhere in the midst of the challenges, and best wishes for your parents.

Elisabeth said...

Thank you for sharing this poem with us today - giving us a moment to pause in our days and reminding us to allow time to hear ourselves think.

Wishing you stamina and resilience as you support your family members.

Linda Mitchell said...

Oh, my goodness. I wasn't quite prepared for the truth of that poem and how it hit me full on. Thank you for this one. I've copied it to my notebook. It's a keeper!
I'm sorry you are in the middle of the sandwich. It's a crazy act (or acts) of love you are doing. Hold on to knowing that it IS love.

elli said...

Now I am picturing you paddling along on a raft (á la Huck) ... praying for you to find respite amidst the to and fro 💖and health and healing for all.

Tim Kulp said...

Thank you for sharing this poem. I am about to start a sabbatical and am looking forward to rediscovering, or potentially discovering for the first time, what time to think feels like. Your poem was just the thing I needed to see at this moment. Thank you!

Mary Lee said...

Here's another gratitude for the right poem at the right time. That last line has me really pondering. What else can't I hear, or don't I hear? What music I can't yet name?

Ruth said...

Yes to hearing ourselves think amidst all the noise around us.

Bridget Magee said...

I echo my appreciation for this poem, Karen. Borrowing a few words from a poem Michelle Kogen posted by Ada Limón, hearing ourselves think is when we are
"out of the holler". :)

tanita✿davis said...

Oh, wow -- that last stanza. He just begins in such a desultory tone, and then OUCH. So much that cried out as it hurt or was wounded or lost and dying - that we didn't hear because BUSY.

Ouch.
This is so good. Thanks for pointing us to it, Karen.

Karen Edmisten said...

Thank you, all, for the beautiful wishes, support, and nods of agreement about the power of this poem! It packs a wallop, no? Love sharing such a great find with all of you. ❤️