Poem of the Week: 9.21.23
"Untitled Summer Poem" by Ricky Novaes de Oliveira
UNTITLED SUMMER POEM
by Ricky Novaes de Oliveira
In a too late summer sun setting on a block, kids kick a ball at the gate scoring goals yelling content shrieking contempt safely enclosed from a churning street Monday dusk’s a drawl Modelo in the passenger seat soft nodding on the way to groceries ice cream truck tunes bellies filling during a good match calm tonight, families flock safe tonight, only droplets fall on the jugs of aguas frescas Why can’t it always be the peace that never seems to last
Summer’s ending.
But I wrote this poem at the beginning of it. Even when I sometimes feel like I’m not writing enough I have poems yet to share. Guess that’s the right place to be starting a 3-year MFA next week.
This poem (which I think could be workshopped more, hence the diminution to Untitled) was written on a walk. I am an advocate of walking and writing, and doing both carefully. Movement is generative for thought, and lil walks around the neighborhood (or libraries or bedrooms or trails or coastlines) have long been my favorite time-and-places to think.
BOOK RECOMMENDATION: I am such a fan of Herryette Mullen, poet and UCLA prof and probably other great titles. Her book URBAN TUMBLEWEED addresses areas to which walking can grant us—in between familiar and unfamiliar, where different parts of the world collide. She wrote a lot of it while walking!
As for “Untitled Summer Poem,” it is a bit trite in hopes of being genuine or sincere. I first had written “In a late summer sun” but it sounded too ordinary for what is being described (“Safely enclosed” and “soft nodding” and the final couplet). I like the subtle soundscape of rhyme, assonance, and consonance against the unevenly metered free verse, but I feel like many of those aspects could be less surface level. Pretty much: it’s a shame stillness doesn’t last. Change is exciting and revelatory, but I wouldn’t mind a summer night every night. Right?
Autumnly, Ricky
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