The Way It Is
I turn 40 this week, and instead of sharing some words of my own this morning, I thought I’d share one of my favorite poems. This one also served as inspiration for this weekly newsletter. William Stafford is from Hutchinson, Kansas and remains one of my favorite poets, mostly for his use of such plain, Midwestern language. This poem has always done for me that thing that only a good poem can do: Find language to briefly catch and release something that is ineffable.
Enjoy.
THE WAY IT IS
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
If you’re in KC, come PARTY LIKE IT’S 1997 next week!