We are what we repeatedly do.
– Aristotle
You know how it is waking
from a dream certain you can fly
and that someone, long gone, returned
and you are filled with longing,
for a brief moment, to drive off
the road and feel nothing
or to see the loved one and feel
everything. Perhaps one morning,
taking brush to hair you’ll wonder
how much of your life you’ve spent
at this task or signing your name
or rising in fog in near darkness
to ready for work. Day begins
with other people’s needs first
and your thoughts disperse like breath.
In the in-between hour, the solitary hour,
before day begins all the world
gradually reappears car by car.
the poem is so realistic and true. I now only realize that the writer is somewhat depressed but as she says “Day begins
with other people’s needs first/
and your thoughts disperse like breath.” these lines hit me because of the momentary delusion that someone feels would be shattered by the reality that would come knocking at his very door everyday. Ager is a poet that should be read by the everyday man.
I really liked this poem because right from the begining you can relate and feel that longing to stay in a dream. The whole poem is so real, driving in the morning, or brushing your hair, this poem can be related personally to anybody reading it.
The ending is what hit me. “Reappearing car by car” is just wonderful. There was not a whole bunch of imagery until that line, and I admire the way the whole poem (to me) could be brought from a focus so small to one so big.
I just love the ending. It’s beautiful.
The feeling of this poem really hit me deep, the part about waiting for someone, and ready to be happy again, but knowing that as another day starts it will always be the same, other people needs first.