Monthly Archives: December 2010

Thirteen Ways of Thanking Wallace Stevens

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1

Dear Wallace Stevens,

I.

I read your poem
“Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird”

II.

And I must tell you
At times I can be narrowminded,
believing that only my way of seeing is the correct way.

III.
I am of a single mind
Like a tree
In which there is only one blackbird

IV.
Until I understood.
Your poem.

V.
I was able to look at things with different perspectives.
Understand
Other views.

VI.
That’s when I wrote
“Twenty-seven ways of Looking at a Dandelion”
And then I learned a dandelion could be

VII.
A relative
A miltary genius
A pioneer
And tea.

VIII.
Here is one stanza:
Oh, Grandmother
Your hair has turned to white
Revealing your bald head.

IX.
After looking at a dandelion
From different ways
I found myself understanding
Not only dandelions but more

About the world in general

X.
For example,

When I look at a piano piece

I find myself changing rhythms

XI.

And adding notes,

Which in my opinion
Improve the piece.

XII.
Now I have learned to appreciate

The notes on the page
As well as my own interpretation.

XIII.
Thank you
For giving me
Different lenses
To look into.

 

* Published in Amazing Kids magazine