Do you need to take a beat? Are you longing to sink back in time to a snapshot — both tiny and enormous — of your past?
Then I give you this lovely poem by Alden Nowlan.
May you have a Friday of Great Things.
Great Things Have Happened
by Alden Nowlan
We were talking about the great things
that have happened in our lifetimes;
and I said, "Oh, I suppose the moon landing
was the greatest thing that has happened
in my time." But, of course, we were all lying.
The truth is the moon landing didn't mean
one-tenth as much to me as one night in 1963
when we lived in a three-room flat in what once had been
the mansion of some Victorian merchant prince
(our kitchen had been a clothes closet, I'm sure),
on a street where by now nobody lived
by Alden Nowlan
We were talking about the great things
that have happened in our lifetimes;
and I said, "Oh, I suppose the moon landing
was the greatest thing that has happened
in my time." But, of course, we were all lying.
The truth is the moon landing didn't mean
one-tenth as much to me as one night in 1963
when we lived in a three-room flat in what once had been
the mansion of some Victorian merchant prince
(our kitchen had been a clothes closet, I'm sure),
on a street where by now nobody lived
who could afford to live anywhere else.
That night, the three of us, Claudine, Johnnie and me,
woke up at half-past four in the morning
and ate cinnamon toast together.
"Is that all?" I hear somebody ask.
That night, the three of us, Claudine, Johnnie and me,
woke up at half-past four in the morning
and ate cinnamon toast together.
"Is that all?" I hear somebody ask.
....
(Read the rest here, at The Writer's Almanac.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Marcie Flinchum Atkins has the Poetry Friday round-up this week.
There is a yearning for simple pleasures in this poem. It possesses a nostalgic air, that appeals to me as a reader. Simplicity is more often beyond our reach and this only increases that sense of yearning. Good choice, Karen. Reading Alden Nowlan's poem has provided a thoughtful provocation.
ReplyDeleteAlan, thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed the appealing nostalgia of this one too. It's so lovely.
DeleteThis is a poem to read before writing--it brought back some wonderful memories. Like Alan wrote above, that yearning is powerful. That butter, that toast. Mmmmm.
ReplyDeleteLinda, it brought memories back to me too. Warmth, toast, siblings, and wonder. :)
DeleteThere are so many great poems in that Writers Almanac series! This is definitely one that sticks. I needed to read it today. Thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteIrene, yes, I go mining at the Almanac often! :) I'm happy this one landed in my sight and yours today.
DeleteWhat a great feel good poem. So much better than walking on the moon. Sometimes I forget that the little things are important. Esp. when I think about what I will be remembered for. I guess eating cinnamon toast in the early morning is not such a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Davis, it all depends on whom we're with when we eat the cinnamon toast, right? :)
DeleteThe poem made me think of similar times I’ve experienced when I’ve felt such joy. Thank you for sharing this poem!
ReplyDeleteJanice, yes, I had a flood of marvelous memories when I read it!
DeleteKaren, when a post starts with a picture of warm toast, you know it is going to be good! What a lovely thought: to sink back in time to a snapshot. Such amazing images that created in my mind! Thank you for sharing “Great Things” I love the idea of being “tipsy with wonder.” : )
ReplyDeleteTracey, thanks for affirming that the picture of warm toast was just the right choice. :) Revel in your snapshots today, and be tipsy with wonder!
Delete“Wholly enveloped in love” is a wonderfully hopeful last line. Makes me crave cinnamon toast, which was a comfort food for me growing up. Thanks for sharing this poem.
ReplyDelete'Twas a comfort food for me, too, Margaret. (Still is.) :) xo
DeleteNowland is so good at making things fresh, isn't he, and taking us along for the ride. It's like putting on glasses when you haven't been able to see and going "Look at all this!"
ReplyDeleteOh, Tabatha, I love the comparison to putting on glasses and calling the gang in to see. :D
DeleteOh, my goodness - no. No one is asking "is that all." This poem depicts one of those canon events, an adventure with loved ones remembered forever. Also, I know have a longing for cinnamon toast that now cannot be denied...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this one. It's truly lovely, and now I have to look up the poet, as he's new to me!
Love that you call it a canon event, Tanita — yes! ❤️ Enjoy some cinnamon toast while you explore Nowlan's work!
Delete"half-tipsy with the wonder
ReplyDeleteof being alive"
THIS is everything. The wonder of being alive indeed. Thank you for sharing this marvel of a poem.
What a great reminder that our "ordinary" moments are the monumental building blocks of extraordinary lives.
ReplyDelete* Tricia, it's my pleasure. It really is a marvel, isn't it?
ReplyDelete* Mary Lee, what a perfect way to put it.
Here's to marvels and monumental building blocks. ❤️
Yes, to the simple greats!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I love "silly with sleepiness."
ReplyDelete* Patricia, amen! :D
ReplyDelete* Marcie, that's such a great line!