The Art of Disappearing
by Naomi Shihab Nye from Words Under the Words: Selected Poems
When they say Don’t I know you? say no.
When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.
Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.
If they say we should get together.
say why? It’s not that you don’t love them any more.
You’re trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees.
The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished. When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven’t seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don’t start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.
Walk around feeling like a leaf. Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time.
(Thanks, Writer’s Almanac.)
Mighty Girl 
Love Writer’s Almanac. I’m currently nursing a crush on Jane Kenyon; I’m sorry I didn’t discover her sooner.
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I agree. Poetry makes things feel better. Makes things make sense. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of that.
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I wish I knew how to become a cabbage.
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I actually do become a cabbage most of the time but always feel that I should be less of one.
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More poetry? Please start with Kay Ryan. Her poems are smart, funny and accessible and…great. Just great.
It’s Always Darkest Just Before the Dawn
But how dark
is darkest?
Does it get
jet – or tar –
black; does it
glint and increase
in hardness
or turn viscous?
Are there stages of darkness
and chips
to match against
its increments,
holding them
up to our blindness,
estimating when
we’ll have the
night behind us?
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I’m sauerkraut
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Oh my god. Totally.
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She might be my favorite poet. I’ve gotten to meet her and hear her read several times. Her poems feel like something sprouting inside. So simple, so beautiful.
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You have just introduced me to a new poet.
Thank you. I love it!!!
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Love Naomi Shihab Nye. Love Jane Kenyon. Try reading some Julia Kasdorf…she’s amazing.
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i read this on WA this morning, and wanted to spend more time with it than the crazy day allowed…thanks for giving me a second shot!
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I’ve been forwarding this morning’s Writer’s Almanac e-mail to EVERYONE today! So cool that you posted the wonderful poem…
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Well, I’ve got a cabbage in my skull right where my brain used to reside, thanks to medical school. Does that count? 🙂
Naomi Shihab Nye sounds like a great poet though. Now I have to go dig up some Jane Kenyon too for comparison. Thanks for giving me more stuff to procrastinate with 😛
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