Wow, I can't believe I haven't written since February... I'm slacking...
So this past March, I went to NY with big plans of seeing all my college friends as well as introducing my "friend" (with that wink-wink stress on it) to all the wonderful things to see in NY. Needless to say, 4 days flew by and I saw Felicia and Mickie (which by itself made my trip worth it) and maybe a small percentage of those wonderful things I was planning on...
Although I didn't get to do everything I set out to do while I was in NY, I did bring something back with me-- having been in the envrionment I associate with my former more artistic part of life and around my friend who creates art everyday, I brought a small hole in my heart. It was hard to come back to pure science and to remember I rarely get to indulge in some of the things I once loved to, so much so that half the time I don't know where to start anymore. So after my first breakdown of the spring quarter (1 made it one week!), I asked my friend Sarah to give me a writing assignment and she said, "write a magnificat"
To which I said, "Is that some sort of famous poetry?" Sarah gave me the 'you poor infidel' look and explained that a magnificat was Mary's celebration of herself:
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants for ever, even as he said to our fathers."
Luke 1:46-55
My magnificat is more self-centered than Mary's but hopefully still a nice read:
Sometimes
… I like the smell of stale cigarettes
it reminds me of where I want to be
the small jazz club with the saxophonist visible through the haze of smoke
dim lights and a couple kissing in the corner
my hand wrapped around the stem of a glass of red wine
… after a drink or two
I look in the bathroom mirror and say damn,
you’re hot
Always
…at night, once the lights are off
I trace the lines of my other’s face to see if my hands can memorize the lines
or at least the feel of skin a day old
…for at least a day, I fall in love with each of my friends and I wonder what it would be like
to live in their skin
…the feel of rough surfaces feels good against my skin
Never
…it won’t ever happen if I’m quiet
So this past March, I went to NY with big plans of seeing all my college friends as well as introducing my "friend" (with that wink-wink stress on it) to all the wonderful things to see in NY. Needless to say, 4 days flew by and I saw Felicia and Mickie (which by itself made my trip worth it) and maybe a small percentage of those wonderful things I was planning on...
Although I didn't get to do everything I set out to do while I was in NY, I did bring something back with me-- having been in the envrionment I associate with my former more artistic part of life and around my friend who creates art everyday, I brought a small hole in my heart. It was hard to come back to pure science and to remember I rarely get to indulge in some of the things I once loved to, so much so that half the time I don't know where to start anymore. So after my first breakdown of the spring quarter (1 made it one week!), I asked my friend Sarah to give me a writing assignment and she said, "write a magnificat"
To which I said, "Is that some sort of famous poetry?" Sarah gave me the 'you poor infidel' look and explained that a magnificat was Mary's celebration of herself:
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants for ever, even as he said to our fathers."
Luke 1:46-55
My magnificat is more self-centered than Mary's but hopefully still a nice read:
Sometimes
… I like the smell of stale cigarettes
it reminds me of where I want to be
the small jazz club with the saxophonist visible through the haze of smoke
dim lights and a couple kissing in the corner
my hand wrapped around the stem of a glass of red wine
… after a drink or two
I look in the bathroom mirror and say damn,
you’re hot
Always
…at night, once the lights are off
I trace the lines of my other’s face to see if my hands can memorize the lines
or at least the feel of skin a day old
…for at least a day, I fall in love with each of my friends and I wonder what it would be like
to live in their skin
…the feel of rough surfaces feels good against my skin
Never
…it won’t ever happen if I’m quiet
1 comment:
I love that you wrote this- we need to go to another slam sometime and have you read. You are an amazing poet.
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