You’ve all had those Emily Dickinson moments, when you read a poet for the first time–or the first time paying attention–and not just the poem but the poet’s sensibility blows the top of your head off. Recently Elizabeth Austen, poet teacher, and former Washington state Poet Laureate, recommended Tim Seibles’ work. I knew the name, but not much beyond that. A few days ago I started reading his book One Turn Around the Sun (etruscan press, 2016). And then I kept going, couldn’t put it down. The voice seeps into every nook and cranny–his life, the reader’s mind–and lights them up. It reminds me of reading CK Williams for the first time: here’s a whole new thing in the poetry universe. New to me, I know I’m late to the party. Do you already know and love his work? What are your favorites? Here’s the opening of the first poem in the book: I dare you to read it and not be desperate to find out what comes next:
ODE TO YOUR MOTHER
Tim Seibles
Do you remember yourself
six months after conception?
Far from the egg, your heart
chirping like a hungry chick,
those unwalked feet—fat crickets
kicking around, eyes blind
as buttons: cell by cell,
rod by cone, getting ready
to call up the colors and lights….
4 Comments
Sharon–I’ve heard the name, but I hadn’t read him–I will now! You’re right, you can’t read that beginning and not want to read more.
Thanks for introducing me to this remarkable poet, Sharon.
So fabulous! I’d not heard of him but am thrilled to explore
Thank you for introducing us to Tim Seibles and I have to read the rest of this poem! In sleuthing on the internet, I learned that he lives in Norfolk, VA (where I just spent the w/end with my step-daughter), and he teaches at Old Dominion University where she is attending graduate school. I need to find out which coffee shop he does his writing and search for him during my next trip to Norfolk! I love your blogs, Sharon! You always enlighten me!