Another week, another Friday, another brand new pair of poems just for you, dear reader! This week we read the words of born-and-raised Yinzer who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, Ed Roberson. If you’re a regular on this column, go ahead and scroll down to the wisdom on the page. If you’re new, here’s what to expect: Each edition will include two poems, the first being a featured piece written by a famous poet that will be analyzed and interpreted according to my point of view. Of course, everyone’s interpretation is different and valid, and the comment section will be open for any further discussion. The second piece is written by yours truly and will be open to complete interpretation and analysis. Go forth, enjoy, and as you read, remember: “It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.” – Henry David Thoreau

Poem One: be careful by Ed Roberson

i must be careful about such things as these.
the thin-grained oak.    the quiet grizzlies scared
into the hills by the constant tracks squeezing
in behind them closer in the snow.    the snared
rigidity of the winter lake.    deer after deer
crossing on the spines of fish who look up and stare
with their eyes pressed to the ice.   in a sleep.  hearing
the thin taps leading away to collapse like the bear
in the high quiet.   i must be careful not to shake
anything in too wild an elation.    not to jar
the fragile mountains against the paper far-
ness.   nor avalanche the fog or the eagle from the air.
of the gentle wilderness i must set the precarious
words.   like rocks.   without one snowcapped mistake.

Thoughts: With the utilization of an unmistakable modern style, Ed Roberson delivers a beautiful scene of nature. The speaker describes the sight of a forest with “thin-grained oak”, “deer after deer” running over the frozen pond, and several other vivid scenes of the wilderness. But aside from the incredible imagery throughout the piece, the speaker is very clear on his intention to “be careful” as he writes his poem. He needs to be careful when describing what he sees because he doesn’t want to take away from the miraculous vision before him, thus cheating the reader of the true beauty of nature. In his “wild…elation”, the speaker reminds himself to take a step back and consider his words so he can best depict the moving picture of life. He wants his words to be set “like rocks. without one snowcapped mistake.”, so the reader will experience the wilderness as deeply as our poet. The attention to detail is key, as the speaker does not want to gloss over any details by using a sweeping metaphor or being vague in his description; this poem is not only about describing the serenity of nature but also the poet’s devotion to his writing. The details and emotions tied to them are extremely important to the poet, and he expresses his commitment to quality and emotional accuracy. Both a gorgeous, descriptive poem as well as a promise to the readers they will experience just what the speaker experiences.

Poem Two: My Lady the Wind by D.C.

She tossles my hair and glides her feet over the delicate blades of grass.

She catches my glasses and blows away my inhibition; I know what’s coming.

The cool draft welcomes me to shut my eyes and await the hurricane’s

Affectionate release on my lips-the eyes of the storm.

She floats close, being careful not to disturb the air, but her jubilation is overwhelming

And a burst of fresh wind flushes the leaves, parts the tall weeds, brings a smile to our

Innocent faces in Spring.

My Lady the Wind, Oh! How wonderfully a whisp!

And just as she rolls down the mountain and hovers over the fields, the sky parts, the sun beams

With delight.

Everything is colorful and thick with the dew of life-and she is breathing whispers with every breeze.

-D.C.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of A Poem For Your Thoughts! Have a great weekend, readers, and join us next Friday for another round of poetry right here on The Uproar!