In 1971, a Senior in High School, I wrote to Anne thanking her for her Poetry, and that she had replaced my reading of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Anne graciously wrote back:
I am glad I replaced Emily Dickinson, but you need to give Robert Frost another try.
On October 4th 1974, a Senior in College, as I drove to an early morning class, NPR reported
Anne’s Good Bye. And yes, I did give Robert Frost another try.
Oh, dear God, this is divine. The way she uses epistrophes to paint the end of each line is like a prayer itself. She was my first poet… when I was 15 I snuck into Poets House, whose first office was in my high school in NYC and I opened one of her books of poetry. I felt for the first time I could speak with someone who understood me and all the rumblings that went beneath the subterranean thoughts of day to day (high school) life. But I guess that is the gift of poetry, the gift of art… to tell others, and ourselves, ,that we are not alone.
How wonderful to see this big little poem honored here. I’ve been reading it for years. By capitalizing Joy, Anne was quietly honoring her younger daughter, Joy.
I love this so much. Such deep simplicity and gratitude that I never want to forget. Thank you. Thank you for this.
Deep gratitude for the day, for the simple things it brings to us, for the act of worship it instills in us, and the joy.
Blessed be.
Indeed!
Dear Anne, no matter how dark her days had been was still thankful. This poem is like a morning prayer.
I love your reflection about beloved Anne.
This is such a beautiful piece. Thank you to Anne! The reminder of small things and routine helps calm the soul.
I've been reading through her complete poems for the last week. I love them all.
In 1971, a Senior in High School, I wrote to Anne thanking her for her Poetry, and that she had replaced my reading of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson. Anne graciously wrote back:
I am glad I replaced Emily Dickinson, but you need to give Robert Frost another try.
On October 4th 1974, a Senior in College, as I drove to an early morning class, NPR reported
Anne’s Good Bye. And yes, I did give Robert Frost another try.
I'm like, what's taking the water so king to boil! Not anymore. Transform.
Lively. Joyful. Beautiful.
Let us bless that moment, too!
I like that.
Her last line made me stop and think 🙏
Right? That is one of the most profound last lines ever.
Here's a line to remember, so fine.
"The Joy that isn’t shared, I’ve heard,
dies young."
I realize she's been dead for 5 years but there are some lines in here that are beyond me, enough so the poem, as a whole, does not connect with me.
It's the beautiful sound of truth.
Hi Nora, always thought you were killer funny. Nice to see you here.
wonderful! lets live life to the fullest.
A reminder of how even the smallest things from regular life are occasions for gratitude.
Oh, dear God, this is divine. The way she uses epistrophes to paint the end of each line is like a prayer itself. She was my first poet… when I was 15 I snuck into Poets House, whose first office was in my high school in NYC and I opened one of her books of poetry. I felt for the first time I could speak with someone who understood me and all the rumblings that went beneath the subterranean thoughts of day to day (high school) life. But I guess that is the gift of poetry, the gift of art… to tell others, and ourselves, ,that we are not alone.
The joy that isn't shared...or even noticed.
I truly needed this perspective today. The chapel of eggs, the outcry of the kettle, the reminder to notice and praise it all. Thank you, Anne!
A perfect meditation to start my day. Thank you Anne.
How wonderful to see this big little poem honored here. I’ve been reading it for years. By capitalizing Joy, Anne was quietly honoring her younger daughter, Joy.