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Poems are sometimes very close to pop songs. 

This comparison usually runs the other way; songwriters call themselves poets more often than poets call themselves songwriters. Not surprising given our lack of instrumental music. But both arts can be described as language that snags the brain. Some arrangement, some combination of words that catches in the fabric of your thinking. You find yourself repeating the words to yourself without meaning to, even against your own intention to stop. There is an unusual rightness in the way they fit together. This week's poem has that quality—self-contained, glittering, destined to come around again demanding to be spoken.
 

Love
By Radmila Lazić, translated by Charles Simic

I sharpened knives
All night.
To welcome you
In the brilliance of their blades,
And among them,
My love sparkles
For your eyes only.

This translation was published in The Paris Review (Issue 213). Radmila Lazić is a Serbian poet. I found this delightful quote from Lazić on Goodreads: "Goodness is boring. It seems it's hell I'm getting myself ready for."

Something to consider re my introduction is that this poem is in translation. Meaning that this specific combination of English words is the choice of the translator. I don't think that this unravels my description of the poem, just that the quality I'm describing is born from both poets, rather than solely its original author. 

The Postscript
These are two lavender rectangles promoting my guest post for the shopping newsletter Worn In, Worn Out. The first one has the title of the newsletter issue, "Poetry in Practice," and text listing the items I recommend in my post: "medallions for marking books, dramatic opera gloves, a soothing cup of tea, and comfy cozy socks." The text is white and yellow. The issue # is 69 (heheh, a secret giggle just for you, whoever is reading this). The second lavender rectangle has a photo of my face. I have brown hair and brown eyes. I'm smiling largely and wearing a colorful scarf which I bought in an Urban Outfitters one time when I was cold in Boston. There's a beautiful, blooming rhododendron behind me and white Apple earbuds in my ears because I was listening to music while I went for a walk looking at flowers when this photo was taken.
This is a lavender rectangle promoting my guest post for the shopping newsletter Worn In, Worn Out. It has the title of the newsletter issue, "Poetry in Practice," and text outlining the items I recommend in my post: "medallions for marking books, dramatic opera gloves, a soothing cup of tea, and comfy cozy socks." The text is white and yellow. The issue # is 69 (heheh, a secret giggle just for you, whoever is reading this).
I did a guest post this week for Worn In, Worn Out, a shopping newsletter that recommends cool, under-the-radar things from small + independent brands. Run by the lovely Kitty Guo. 

In my post, I recommend ingredients for an afternoon of reading poetry, which include ex libris stickers for claiming what's yours, botanical opera gloves for dramatically turning pages, several actual books of poetry and more.
Read My Post Here Read My Post Here
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Every Friday, I'll send you one good poem by someone who isn't me + commentary.
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Sonia Feldman · 2529 Detroit Ave · Cleveland, OH 44113 · USA

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