Ruin Outlasting Sorrow

im really getting pretty fascinated/obsessed with this poem.

I read it again and i begin to understand more, i think. and i begin to make some connections. but most of all i love how patient Olsen is. Maybe it is because he wrote a poem which, in some regards, is unfinished. There is no need to rush to the end.

whatever the reason, Olsen takes his time in this poem. He explores each aspect, each scene and thought with out belaboring.
it is very nice to read a poem that isn't pretentious; it doesn't highlight the highlights (get it?). instead of trying to rush between the solid images/scenes and great language he paces the poem, causing us to let our guard down then stumble into great little traps like the plane trip or the bear dissection.

the repetition of the word 'root' is very cool to read in the 6th stanza. it gives a quick rhythm to the stanza and before it's slowed down again in the last line 'climbing the walls they'd taken into their flesh'.

referring to the 'church and inn and pub and piggery' as chess pieces which no one has 'moved in centuries' is great. it seems to place blame somewhere for the lack of mobility in the immobile.

there are other awesome parts of this poem (almost every part) but im just gonna finish with the 'bear' part near the end. a scene that is very clinical, sterile and often gross is given in a very comforting and somber way. i think this is the best example of Olsen's patience. he has this great scene, one that the average person may base the poem around. but instead he waits it out. he keeps it in his pocket till the perfect time and simply lays it down. its great.

-wes edmond
currently spinning: Daniel Rossen (of grizzly bear) - Graceland (beautiful paul simon cover that (almost) makes me cry)