FreeVerse: "Selecting A Reader" by Ted Kooser
by Jenners • 02/24/2010 • Poetry • 10 Comments
Hosted by Cara at Ooh…Books!
Today I thought I’d share a poem by another “new to me” poet named Ted Kooser. I found this poem in a book I got at the library book shop. The poem appealed to me because the poet’s vision of his reader was so specific … and he was so very generous with her. It made me think about if all writers envision a reader in their mind when writing … and what a shock it might be for them to see the people who end up reading and loving (or hating!) their books. Writing is such a solitary pursuit in many ways. I think that is why I love blogging so much; you get to write but you get the interaction too! And if you must know, I imagine all of you as your little avatars that show up by your comments. I imagine it would be a shock to meet some of you and you’re not a cat or a cartoon person or a bookshelf!
Selecting A Reader
by Ted Kooser
First, I would have her be beautiful,
and walking carefully up on my poetry
at the loneliest moment of an afternoon,
her hair still damp at the neck
from washing it. She should be wearing
a raincoat, an old one, dirty
from not having money enough for the cleaners.
She will take out her glasses, and there
in the bookstore, she will thumb
over my poems, then put the book back
up on its shelf. She will say to herself,
"For that kind of money, I can get
my raincoat cleaned." And she will.
This is one of my favorite poems by Kooser! I love the detail in many of his poems.
"At the lonliest moment of an afternoon" – what beautiful words. Great to be back with you all, many thanks for your best wishes.
I also like this poem for its vivid description and subtle humor. But I am also fascinated by the topic: an author imagining what kind of person chooses to read (or not read) his works. I would like to read more of Kooser's poetry.
LOL I love it! Thanks for sharing it with us.
I love this one! I have to find more of his!
Oh, I like this one! Thanks for introducing me to another poet!
Okay….now that I know you're picturing me as a cow….!!! (and the cow in the picture's name is Kelly, btw)
Great choice for FreeVerse! You know from my recent entry on Kooser how much I love his work. I may have to share more of his in the future since he has so many wonderful poems to choose from.
I definitely chuckled at this one.
Great poem. I've never run into him before, but I'm not much for recent poetry, either!
Love his quiet voice in this verse. Lovely poem. Thanks Jenners!