2015

COMMON%THREADS Volume'5'|'2015'Edition'

Common'Threads'is'an'annual'publication'and'outreach'program'produced'by'Mass'Poetry,'with'a'goal'to'facilitate'~350'poetry'discussion'groups'throughout'the'state'each'year'in'an'effort'to'broaden'the'audience'for'poetry'and'support'poets'and'poetry'in'Massachusetts.'Mass'Poetry'is'a'501(c)(3)'organization.''

A%$10%hardcopy%of%this%publication%is%available%to%order%from%Harvard%Book%Store.%$5%from%each%sale%goes%directly%back%into%our%programming,%while%the%other%half%supports%Harvard%Book%Store.%%

A%listing%of%public%Common%Threads%events%is%available%here.%%

'Video'production'for'the'poems'of'John'Hodgen,'Fred'Marchant,'Rhina'P.'Espaillat,'and'Mary'Oliver'by'Riley%Fearon%Productions'

Cover%Art:Summer&Light& & & Gouache'on'paper 11'1/2'x'17'1/4'inches2009'|'©'Denise'Manseau'2014'

Summer&Light'recalls'a'moment'on'a'walk'in'Maine'looking'up'through'a'stand'of'towering'oaks'to'see'glimpses'of'cobalt'through'translucent'greens'swaying'in'the'summer'wind.''

Denise%Manseau'investigates'the'nature'of'transitory'relationships'in'the'environment'and'how'they'influence'and'define'the'layered'complexity'of'place.'Her'work'navigates'the'inevitable'changeability'of'the'landscape'in'personal'cosmographies'that'interweave'space'and'place,'environment'and'perception.'Her'work'has'been'exhibited'in'museums'and'galleries'nationally'and'internationally.'Manseau'received'her'MFA'from'Massachusetts'College'of'Art'and'her'BFA'from'the'University'of'Massachusetts'Lowell.'She'maintains'a'studio'at'the'Arts'Research'Collaborative,'an'art'space'in'Lowell'dedicated'to'arts'dialogue'and'education.'More'at'denisemanseau.com'and'artsresearchcollaborative.com.'

COMMON%THREADS%Volume'5'|'2015'Edition'

GUEST'EDITOR'Alice%Kociemba%

MANAGING'EDITOR'Laurin%Macios%

PARTNERING'POET'COORDINATOR'Gabrielle%Tyson%

VIDEOGRAPHER'Riley%Fearon%

Table%of%Contents%

Introduction''' ' ' ' ' Alice'Kociemba' ' ' 4'

How'to'Read'a'Poem'' ' ' ' Robert'Pinsky' ' ' 6'

Suggestions'for'Facilitating'Discussion'Groups' ' ' ' ' ' 8'

Poems&

Love'Calls'Us'to'the'Things'of'This'World' Richard'Wilbur'' ' ' 9'

The'Birthing' ' ' ' ' ' Deborah'Digges'' ' ' 10'

For'the'Man'Who'Spun'Plates' ' ' John'Hodgen'' ' ' 11'

Prospective'Immigrants'Please'Note' ' Adrienne'Rich' ' ' 12'

On'Hearing'My'Name'Pronounced'Correctly,'Unexpectedly,'for'Once' ' ' ' Rhina'P.'Espaillat''''' ' ' 13'

The'Salt'Stronger' ' ' ' ' Fred'Marchant' ' '''''''''''14'

Sea'Grapes' ' ' ' ' ' Derek'Walcott' ' '''''''''''16'

The'Osprey' ' ' ' ' ' Mary'Oliver'' ' ' '''''''''''17'

Discussion'Questions' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''19'

Writing'Prompts' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''20About'the'Poets' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''21'

Media'Package'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''''''''''''''23Resources'for'Poetry'Exploration'' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''24'

About'Mass'Poetry'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''25'

About'the'Common'Threads'Team'' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''26'

Acknowledgments' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''27'

Copyright'Information' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '''''''''''28

Introduction:%What%Calls%You%to%the%“Things%of%This%World”?%Alice&Kociemba,&Guest&Editor&&

The'overarching'theme'of'this'fifth'edition'of'Common'Threads&is'love—a'reverence'for'life'and'a'zest'for'living'that'is'intensified'at'moments'of'birth'and'death,'the'cherishing'of'one’s'birthplace'and'the'longing'for'what'has'been'left'behind,'a'passion'for'peace'and'respect'for'poetry'itself'as'its'witness,'and'finally,'the'precious'and'precarious'beauty'of'nature.'Each'of'these'eight'poems'reveals'love’s'common&threads.'

In'his'introductory'essay'to'The&Best&American&Poetry,&2008,'Charles'Wright,'our'current'US'Poet'Laureate,'writes:'

“Still'poetry'comes,'for'lack'of'better'words,'from'the'heart'[…]'It’s'the'only'time'that'two'plus'one'makes'two—language'is'half;'technique'is'half,'and'emotion'is'half…It'is'not'a'question'of'paper,'of'typewriters,'of'white'space'or'of'dark'space—it'is'a'question'of'what’s'in'your'life,'and'where'you'want'your'life'to'lead'you…But'if'it'is'poetry'that'you'want,'then'don’t'look'for'language'games,'intellectual'ripooffs,'or'rhetorical'singoalongs.'It’s'too'often'been'a'matter'of'life'and'death'to'those'who'really'cared.'

Art'is'supposed,'they'say,'to'make'sense'out'of'the'senseless,'coherence'out'of'the'incoherent,'and'connections'out'of'the'unconnectible.'And'poetry,'of'course,'is'an'art.”'

In'this'year’s'eight'Common'Threads&poems,'notice'how'words'repeat'throughout—words'like'soul,'tongue,'angels,'halos,'war,'exile,'journey,'responsibility,'obsession.'These'poems'weave'a'tapestry'of'meaning'that'deeply'engages'the'reader,'indeed'changes'the'reader,'maybe'even'on'a'molecular'level,'when'the'poems'are'read'aloud.'

• In'Richard%Wilbur’s'“Love'Calls'Us'to'the'Things'of'This'World,”'the'speaker,'a'city'apartment'dweller,'is'rudely'awakened.'The'poem'moves'with'both'whimsy'and'delight'to'acceptance'of'the'inevitable'surrender'of'oblivion.'With'this'return'to'consciousness,'the'speaker'appreciates'the'joys'in'the'ordinary.''This'poem'created'the'theme'for'this'year’s'Common'Threads.'

• In%Deborah%Digges’'poem,'“The'Birthing,”'the'reader'is'pulled'into'a'powerful'narrative'of'what'love'requires'of'us'in'unexpected'moments,'when'a'bystander'is'moved'to'become'involved'in'a'life'or'death'experience.'

• John%Hodgen’s'“For'the'Man'Who'Spun'Plates”'begins'with'the'memory'of'watching'the'Ed'Sullivan'Show,'and'through'its'use'of'metaphor,'the'near'comical'is'transformed'into'the'almost'ungraspable'reality'of'grief.''

• Although'Adrienne%Rich’s'poem,'“Prospective'Immigrants'Please'Note”'was'written'in'1962,'it'remains'a'timely'and'succinct'portrait'of'the'wrenching'either/or'dilemma'of'leaving'or'staying'in'one’s'homeland.'

• Rhina%P.%Espaillat’s'sonnet,'“On'Hearing'My'Name'Pronounced'Correctly,'Unexpectedly,'for'Once”'makes'personal'the'larger'issues'described'in'Rich’s'poem.'The'smaller'losses'and'shifts'in'identity'become'writ'large.'

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• Fred%Marchant’s'epistolary'poem'“The'Salt'Stronger”'is'a'tribute'to'language'and'to'the'power'of'poetry'to'bear'witness'in,'and'bring'solace'to,'a'world'continually'searching'for'peace.'

• In'Derek%Walcott’s'“Sea'Grapes,”'the'timeless'image'of'Homer’s'waroweary'wanderer,'Odysseus,'mirrors'the'concerns'in'Marchant’s'poem,'Why&are&we&still&and&always&at&war?&

• Mary%Oliver’s'“The'Osprey,”'picks'up'the'thread'of'predator'and'prey'and'explores'the'obsessions'and'responsibilities'of'a'thoughtful,'conscious'“imaginer”'with'a'lot'on'her'mind.'

In'selecting'these'eight'poems,'I'drew'on'my'experience'facilitating'eight'Common'Threads&discussion'groups'in'local'libraries'and'churches.'What'makes'a'poem'discussable?'First'and'foremost,'hearing'the'poems'read'aloud.'Some'readers'tend'to'prefer'“heart”'or'emotional'poems;'some'prefer'“head”'or'philosophical'ones.'Some'readers'gravitate'toward'formal'verse,'some'toward'the'narrative,'and'others'esteem'the'lyric.'These'poems'reflect'a'true'diversity'of'voice,'and'of'region'within'Massachusetts.'All'the'poems'are'both'accessible'and'excellent,'as'the'aim'of'Common'Threads&is'to'broaden'the'audience'for'poetry'by'engaging'the'general'public'in'the'pleasures'of'reading'and'discussing'captivating'poems.''

Why'eight?'To'have'Common'Threads&fit'easily'into'a'standard'90ominute'discussion'format.'I'asked'thirteen'poets'(many'of'whom'had'participated'in'a'previous'years’'Common'Threads'group,'or'had'led'workshops'in'their'local'libraries)'from'across'the'Commonwealth'to'recommend'to'me'up'to'eight'“discussable”'poets'and'their'poems.'These'poets'recommended'more'than'50'poets'and'more'than'150'poems.''What'I'had'assumed'proved'to'be'true:'I'would'have'overlooked'some'spectacular'poems'if'I'had'let'my'personal'preferences'drive'the'selection'process.''

In'his'essay,'“The'Figure'a'Poem'Makes,”'Robert'Frost'says'of'a'poem,'“It'begins'in'delight'and'ends'in'wisdom…For'me'the'initial'delight'is'the'surprise'of'remembering'something'I'didn’t'know'I'knew.”'''

Common'Threads&is'full'of'delights'and'surprises!

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How%to%Read%a%Poem%Robert&Pinsky&

A'crucial,'defining'moment,'at'the'mysterious'frontier'between'the'mind'and'the'body,'takes'place'when'a'feeling'or'thought'takes'form'in'the'voice—possibly'as'speech,'but'maybe'as'less'than'that,'as'the'exhalation'of'a'barely'vocalized'oh'or'ah.'

I'mean'the'moment'between'the'twinge'of'an'aching'back'muscle'and'a'muttered'“ouch”'or'at'another'extreme'the'moment'when'a'mix'of'passion,'determination'and'purpose'leads'to'“I'disagree”'in'a'meeting'or'“I'love'you”'in'an'embrace.'

We'cross'that'threshold'between'concept'and'breath'in'two'directions,'I'think:'outward'of'course,'but'inward'as'well.'In'an'intense'conversation,'my'effort'to'understand'your'words—to'“take'them'in,”'as'we'say—may'include'my'imagining'what'it'feels'like'to'say'those'words—physically,'actually,'to'say'them.'That'sympathetic,'bodily'imagining'may'go'back'to'the'infant'gazing'up'at'a'parental'speaking'face:'so'far'back'that'we'are'mostly'unaware'of'it.''

Sometimes,'feeling'eager'or'pressed'to'understand,'I'might'silently'“mouth”'your'words—technical'instructions,'say,'or'the'best'route'to'my'destination,'or'just'a'name'or'a'phone'number—form'them'with'my'lips,'maybe'with'a'whisper'of'breath'through'them.'(C.K.'Williams’'great'poem'“My'Mother’s'Lips”'describes'this'form'of'attention.)'

That'basic,'intuitive'process,'involves'the'first'principle'of'reading'poetry—the'most'purely'vocal'of'all'the'arts.'(In'song,'the'voice'enlarges'and'transforms'to'become'an'instrument,'as'well'as'itself.)'

So,'the'threeoword'advice'I'might'be'tempted'to'give,'about'“How'to'Read'a'Poem”—'“read&it&aloud”—is'kind'of'inaccurate,'though'usefully'compact.'“Read'it'aloud”'might'lead'toward'the'art'of'the'actor,'or'the'technique'of'a'poet'who'gives'good'poetry'readings.'With'all'due'respect,'performance'is'not'what'I'mean.'

I'mean'something'more'intimate,'more'immediate,'more'physiological,'at'that'mindobody'frontier:'to'feel'the'poem'in'your'mind’s'voice,'hearing'it'in'your'mind’s'ear'as'you'hear'the'things'you'say.'To'achieve'that,'you'may'well'say'the'words—mutter'them'or'declaim'them,'vocalize'them'or'not—as'a'means'to'feel'what'it'would'be'like'to'say'the'poet’s'words:'to'need'to'say'them,'as'Emily'Dickinson'needed'to'say'“Because'I'could'not'stop'for'Death”'or'Walt'Whitman'needed'to'say'“Vigil'strange'I'kept'in'the'field'one'night.”'If'the'poem'works,'the'reader'experiences'an'echo'of'that'need.'That,'I'think,'is'demonstrated'by'the'video'segments'at'www.favoritepoem.org.''

Here'is'a'specific'example'of'what'I'mean—one'of'my'favorite'examples,'because'it'is'brief'and'to'me'seems'remarkably'clear:'an'untitled,'twooline'poem'by'Walter'Savage'Landor'(1775o1864).'I'invite'the'reader'to'say'it'aloud,'or'to'imagine'saying'it'aloud,'maybe'moving'your'lips'a'little:'

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' '' On'love,'on'grief,'on'every'human'thing,'' Time'sprinkles'Lethe’s'water'with'his'wing.'

The'patterns'of'consonants'and'vowels'in'this'poem,'to'me'quite'beautiful,'happen'to'be'unusually'clear,'by'which'I'mean'unusually'easy'to'talk'about.'At'the'beginning'of'the'poem,'if'you'say'the'words,'actually'or'in'imagination,'three'times'you'will'put'your'upper'teeth'onto'your'lower'lip'to'form'the'“v”'or'“f”'sounds'at'the'ends'of'“love,”'“grief,”'and'the'first'syllable'of'“every.”'Another'example'of'this'anatomical'aspect'of'poetry,'at'the'end'of'the'poem:'three'times,'you'will'purse'your'lips'as'you'say'“water'with'his'wing.”'

Weirdly,'but'absolutely,'such'things'matter.'I'cannot'explain'why,'but'these'patterns'of'sound'(usually'not'so'distinct),'apprehended'in'the'body'and'by'the'mind,'convey'feeling.'The'physical'conviction'of'Landor’s'poem'relieves'me'of'necessarily'knowing'that'Lethe'is'the'river'of'forgetting'in'the'Classical'underground.'The'poem’s'physical'presence,'in'my'voice,'helps'me'understand'that'Lethe'is'what'time'sprinkles'on'everything.'How'do'these'artfully'arranged'vowels'and'consonants,'these'sentenceosounds,'do'that?'I'don’t'know.'I'can’t'explain'this'vocaloemotional'power'any'more'than'I'can'explain'the'power'of'music'or'of'comedy'(which,'the'great'comic'Sid'Caesar'said,'is'music).'

Poetry'is'apprehended'by'the'body'and'the'mind,'both.'(I'think'this'is'why'Ezra'Pound'says,'in'his'An&ABC&of&Reading,'“poetry'is'a'centaur.”)'If'you'are'not'inclined'to'use'your'mind,'you'will'miss'the'point.'If'you'are'not'inclined'to'use'your'body,'in'particular'breath'and'the'muscles'of'speech,'you'will'miss'the'point.'True'in'poetry,'and'often'true'in'the'rest'of'life,'as'well.'

There'has'been'a'lot'of'excellent'writing'and'thinking'about'the'ways'poetry'is'different'from'all'the'other'uses'of'language.'It'is'also'worth'considering'the'ways'poetry'is'continuous'with'the'other'uses'of'language,'resembles'them,'from'its'position'somewhere'between'speech'and'song.'' '

Poetry'is'different'from,'but'also'resembles,'conversation,'teaching,'business'negotiations,'family'arguments,'joke'telling,'complaining,'medical'interviews'and'many'other'kinds'of'interaction.'Facial'expression,'bodily'posture,'hand'gestures,'tone'of'voice,'pace,'inflection,'all'amplify'and'modify'the'words—make'the'words'more'than'a'transcript.'The'equivalent'of'all'that'is'in'a'poem,'waiting'to'be'animated'by'each'reader’s'vocal'imagination.'

How'to'read'a'poem?'Imagine'saying'it.'Imagine'the'feeling'of'needing'to'say'it.'

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Suggestions%for%Facilitating%Discussion%Groups%

Common'Threads'discussion'groups'are'conducted'in'a'variety'of'settings,'from'church'groups'to'libraries,'to'senior'centers'to'schools,'and'can'range'from'sessions'that'are'open'to'the'public'to'sessions'that'consist'of'a'few'friends'discussing'the'poems'over'coffee.'There'is'no'right'or'wrong'way'to'conduct'a'Common'Threads'group—what'Mass'Poetry'does'is'supply'the'materials'and'support'for'engagement'with'the'poems;'what'you'do'is'take'the'poems'to'your'community'in'a'way'that'the'shared'experience'will'be'enjoyable'and'valuable.'But'we'can'offer'some'tips—proven'methods'for'hosting'a'successful'and'fruitful'group.''

Alice'Kociemba,'2015'Guest'Editor'and'eightotime'Common'Threads'discussion'group'leader,'says,'“Encourage'each'person'to'participate.'Trust'that'they'will'connect'with'these'poems'in'an'authentic'and'unique'way.'There'are'no'right'and'wrong'answers,'no'smart'or'dumb'reactions'to'these'poems.'Everyone'brings'something'valuable'to'the'discussion.'Not'everyone'will'agree'with'each'other,'or'like'a'particular'poem.'These'reactions'are'also'to'be'welcomed.”'

We'suggest'supplying'(or'linking'to)'the'Common'Threads'PDF'in'your'promotion'of'a'public'group'so'that'interested'participants'can'familiarize'themselves'with'the'poems'beforehand,'but'it'is'also'perfectly'fine'to'have'copies'of'the'Common'Threads'poems'you’ll'discuss'onohand'at'the'event,'so'that'attendees'can'read'them'there'on'the'spot.'''

Within'your'group,'we'suggest'that'the'person'who'finds'a'particular'poem'meaningful'read'that'poem'aloud'to'the'group,'with'no'worries'about'stutters'or'mistakes.'Their'connection'to'the'poem'will'come'through'with'their'enjoyment'in'reading'it'and'hearing'it'recited'in'their'own'voice.'It’s'a'strong'way'to'kick'off'a'discussion.'

“At'almost'any'poetry'reading'group'experience'I'have'had'(and'I'have'facilitated'a'monthly'poetry'group'at'the'Falmouth'Public'Library'for'the'past'five'years),'members'who'have'walked'in'skeptical'about'a'poet’s'work'or'a'particular'poem'have'left'the'group'more'openominded'after'hearing'a'poem'read'by'someone'who'has'a'connection'to'the'poem,”'says'Alice.''

After'the'person'reads'the'poem,'ask'him'or'her'to'say'why'or'where'they'connect'with'the'poem,'and'from'there,'the'openoended'discussion'questions'we'have'supplied'in'this'publication'should'carry'the'conversation'forward.''

Some'members'will'want'a'“close'reading”'of'a'poem—an'analysis'of'the'use'of'adjectives,'the'power'of'the'verbs,'meter,'syntax,'and'rhyme.'This'is'all'well'and'good,'but'for'group'members'completely'new'to'poetry,'who'may'be'intimidated'by'the'idea'of'poetic'analysis,'we'would'encourage'discussing'craft'as'it'relates'to'the'meaning'and'heart'of'the'poem.

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Richard&Wilbur&Love%Calls%Us%to%the%Things%of%This%World&

''''''''The'eyes'open'to'a'cry'of'pulleys,'And'spirited'from'sleep,'the'astounded'soul''''Hangs'for'a'moment'bodiless'and'simple''''As'false'dawn.''''''''''''''''''''''Outside'the'open'window''''The'morning'air'is'all'awash'with'angels.'

''''''''Some'are'in'bedosheets,'some'are'in'blouses,''''Some'are'in'smocks:'but'truly'there'they'are.''''Now'they'are'rising'together'in'calm'swells''''Of'halcyon'feeling,'filling'whatever'they'wear''''With'the'deep'joy'of'their'impersonal'breathing;'

''''''''Now'they'are'flying'in'place,'conveying'The'terrible'speed'of'their'omnipresence,'moving''''And'staying'like'white'water;'and'now'of'a'sudden''''They'swoon'down'into'so'rapt'a'quiet'That'nobody'seems'to'be'there.''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''The'soul'shrinks'

''''''''From'all'that'it'is'about'to'remember,'From'the'punctual'rape'of'every'blessèd'day,'And'cries,''''''''''''''''“Oh,'let'there'be'nothing'on'earth'but'laundry,''''Nothing'but'rosy'hands'in'the'rising'steam'And'clear'dances'done'in'the'sight'of'heaven.”'

''''''''Yet,'as'the'sun'acknowledges'With'a'warm'look'the'world’s'hunks'and'colors,''''The'soul'descends'once'more'in'bitter'love''''To'accept'the'waking'body,'saying'now'In'a'changed'voice'as'the'man'yawns'and'rises,''''

'''''''''“Bring'them'down'from'their'ruddy'gallows;'Let'there'be'clean'linen'for'the'backs'of'thieves;''''Let'lovers'go'fresh'and'sweet'to'be'undone,''''And'the'heaviest'nuns'walk'in'a'pure'floating''''Of'dark'habits,'''''''''''''''''''''''keeping'their'difficult'balance.”'

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Deborah&Digges%%

The%Birthing%

Call'out'the'names'in'the'procession'of'the'loved.Call'from'the'blood'the'ancestors'here'to'bear'witnessto'the'day'he'stopped'the'car,we'on'our'way'to'a'great'banquet'in'his'honor.In'a'field'a'cow'groaned'lowing,'trying'to'give'birth,what'he'called'front&leg&presentation,the'calf'came'out'nose'first,'one'front'leg'dangling'from'his'''''''mother.A'fatal'sign'he'said'while'rolling'up'the'sleevesof'his'dress'shirt,'and'climbed'the'fence.I'watched'him'thrust'his'arm'entireinto'the'yetotoobe,'where'I'imagined'holy'sparrows'scatteringin'the'hall'of'souls'for'his'big'mortal'hands'just'to'make'way.With'his'whole'weight'he'pushed'the'calf'back'in'the'mother and'grasped'the'other'leg'tucked'up'like'a'closed'wingagainst'the'new'one's'shoulder.And'found'a'way'in'the'warm'dark'to'bring'both'legs'out into'the'world'together.Then'heaved'and'pulled,'the'cow'arching'her'back,until'a'bull'calf,'in'a'whoosh'of'blood'and'water,came'falling'whole'and'still'onto'the'meadow.We'rubbed'his'blackness,'bloodying'our'hands. The'mother'licked'the'newborn,'of'us'oblivious, until'it'moved'a'little,'struggled.I'ran'to'get'our'coats,'mine'a'green'velvet'cloak,and'his'tuxedo'jacket,'and'worked'to'rub'the'new'one'dry while'he'set'out'to'find'the'farmer.When'it'was'over,'the'new'calf'suckling'his'mother,the'farmer'soon'to'lead'them'to'the'barn,leaving'our'coats'just'where'they'lay we'huddled'in'the'car.And'then'made'love'toward'eternity,without'a'word'drove'slowly'home.'And'loved'some'more.'

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John&Hodgen%%For%the%Man%Who%Spun%Plates%

On'the'old'Ed'Sullivan'Show'on'Sunday'nights,'before'Topo'Gigio,'the'dancing'mouse,before'the'Beatles'and'the'Mersey'Beat,'before'we'all'knew'all'we'needed'was'love,someone'to'kiss'us'goodnight,' there'was'a'man'who'spun'plates'on'long'slender'poles,keeping'them'spinning'with'the'tips'of'his'fingers,running'from'one'side'of'the'stage'to'the'other,' the'crowd'calling'out'to'him'when'a'plate'started'wobbling,'the'man'so'intently'spinning'plates'in'the'air,'a'little'like'Jesus'before'the'Last'Supper,keeping'his'disciples’'haloes'from'falling,'the'crowd'like'the'masses'with'the'bread'and'the'fishes,'crying,'Judas,&watch&Judas,&his&halo&is&falling,'Jesus'too'busy'holding'up'the'whole'world.'And'sometimes'he’d'miss'one'and'we’d'all'see'it'fall,'shatter'like'crystal'all'over'the'stage,'and'we'loved'him'even'more'then'because'he'was'real,'working'as'hard'as'the'devil'for'us.'But'we'didn’t'know'then'that'our'lives'would'break'too,'my'good'friend'whose'daughter'just'drowned'in'Brazil,'his'plates'all'come'down'like'a'crockery'sea.'He'tries'to'lift'her'up'again,'get'her'life'spinning,'as'if'he'could'raise'her'from'under'the'waves,'the'waves'that'keep'falling,'one'after'another,'like'shimmering'plates'on'the'sea.''

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Adrienne&Rich%%Prospective%Immigrants%Please%Note%

Either'you'willgo'through'this'door or'you'will'not'go'through.'

If'you'go'throughthere'is'always'the'riskof'remembering'your'name.'

Things'look'at'you'doubly and'you'must'look'backand'let'them'happen.'

If'you'do'not'go'throughit'is'possibleto'live'worthily'

to'maintain'your'attitudesto'hold'your'position to'die'bravely'

but'much'will'blind'you, much'will'evade'you,at'what'cost'who'knows?'

The'door'itself'makes'no'promises.It'is'only'a'door.'

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Rhina&P.&Espaillat&

On%Hearing%My%Name%Pronounced%Correctly,%Unexpectedly,%for%Once%

The'voice'over'the'wire'trills'my'R,'snares'me'with'soft'diminutives,'and'waits'for'me,'in'our'shared'language,'to'allow'my'words'to'trace,'like'fingers'down'a'scar,'stories'we’ve'known'since'childhood,'places,'dates'in'brackets'on'worn'stones.'He'tells'me'how'our&old&ones&slip'away,'forgetting,'now,'faces'and'names.'My'cousin'hesitates;'I'take'this'name'again'and'say'goodnight.'Odd'how'the'gringo'tongue'that'shifts,'translates'you'into'something'it'can'say,'but'far'from'what'you'were,'that'never'gets'you'right,'rolling'you'round'too'long,'too'smooth,'too'light,'loves'you'at'last'to'who'it'says'you'are.

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Fred&Marchant&&

The%Salt%Stronger%

I'have'seen'the'legislators'on'their'way,'the'jacketless'men'in'midowinter'who'will'cast'their'votes'like'stones'for'this'war.'''Men'who'have'to'cross'the'street'through'slush'and'over'gutter,'their'cuffs'now'vaguely'blued'with'a'salt'that'dries'in'dots'where'it'splashes,'''and'mingles'with'the'finely'woven'cloth'of'the'chalkostripe'suits,'the'soiFdisant'practical'men,'you'can'see'them'now'tiptoeing,'''now'leaping,'balletic,'windsoroknotted,'fragrant'and'shaved,'they'pass,'they'pass'the'window'of'the'Capitol'Deli'''wherein'I'am'writing'to'my'friend'in'Baghdad,'he'a'“witness'for'peace,”'a'poet'who'for'years'has'wondered'what'good'poetry'is'or'has'been'or'does.'''I'compose'today’s'answer'from'here,'saying,'I&think&of&poetry'

as&a&salt&dug&from&a&foreign&mine'that&arrives&like&a&miracle&in&Boston'&'

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as&pellets&to&break&underfoot'and&melt'the&dangerous&plated&ice'and&cling&to&the&acknowledged&lawmakers,'to&stay&with&them&in&their&dreams,'&'to&eat&at&the&cloth&and&reach&down'to&the&skin'and&beyond&the&calf'into&the&shin.&I&think&the&soul'is&equivalent&to&bone,&and&that&conscience'&'must&hide&in&the&marrow,'float&in&the&rich&fluids'and&wander&the&honeycomb&at&the&center.'There,&and&not&in&the&brain,'or&even&the&heart&is&where'&'the&words&attach,&where&they&land'and&settle,'take&root&after&the&long'passage&through&the&body’s&byFways.'Just&think,'I'write,'of&how&some&poetry&rolls'''off&the&tongue,&then&try&to&see&the&tongue'in&the&case'that&faces&me,&a&curious,'thick&extension&of&cowFflesh'fresh&from&a&butcher’s&block,&grainy&and&flush.'&'I&think&that&if&my&tongue&alone&could&talk'it&would&swear'in&any&court&that&poetry'tastes&like&the&iodine&in&blood,'or&the&copper&in&spit,&and&makes&a&salt&stronger&than&tears.'

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Derek&Walcott%%Sea%Grapes%

That'sail'which'leans'on'light,tired'of'islands,a'schooner'beating'up'the'Caribbean'

for'home,'could'be'Odysseus,homeobound'on'the'Aegean;that'father'and'husband's'

longing,'under'gnarled'sour'grapes,'is' like'the'adulterer'hearing'Nausicaa's'name''in'every'gull's'outcry.'

This'brings'nobody'peace.'The'ancient'war between'obsession'and'responsibility' will'never'finish'and'has'been'the'same'

for'the'seaowanderer'or'the'one'on'shore' now'wriggling'on'his'sandals'to'walk'home,''since'Troy'sighed'its'last'flame,'

and'the'blind'giant's'boulder'heaved'the'trough''from'whose'groundswell'the'great'hexameters'come''to'the'conclusions'of'exhausted'surf.'

The'classics'can'console.'But'not'enough.'

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Mary%Oliver!!The!Osprey!

This'morningan'osprey with'its'narrowblackoandowhite'faceand'its'cupidinous'eyesleaned'downfrom'a'leafy'treeto'look'into'the'lake—it'looked a'long'time,'then'its'powerfulshoulders'punched'out'a'littleand'it'fell,it'rippled'downinto'the'water—then'it'rose,'carrying,in'the'clips'of'its'feet,a'slim'and'limber silver'fish,'a'scrim of'red'rubieson'its'flashing'sides.All'of'thiswas'wonderfulto'look'at,so'I'simply'stood'there,in'the'blue'morning,looking.Then'I'walked'away.Beauty'is'my'work,but'not'my'only'work— later,when'the'fish'was'gone'forever and'the'bird'was'miles'away,I'came'back

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and'stood'on'the'shore,'thinking— and'if'you'thinkthinking'is'a'mild'exercise,beware! I'mean,'I'was'swimming'for'my'life— and'I'was'thundering'this'way'and'that'way in'my'shirt'of'feathers— and'I'could'not'resolve'anything'long'enoughto'become'one'thingexcept'this:'the'imaginer.It'was'inescapableas'over'and'over'it'flung'me,without'pause'or'mercy'it'flung'me to'both'sides'of'the'beautiful'water— to'both'sidesof'the'knife.!

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Discussion%Questions%For&use&with&all&poems&

❖ First,'what'brings'this'poem'to'life?''Then,'what'brings'this'poem'to'life'for'you?'

Note:&The&first&will&probably&lead&to&exploration&of&elements&of&craft&(the&title,&beginning,&ending&of&a&poem,&the&fresh&images&and&language,&the&form,&the&sound,&the&way&the&poem&is&placed&on&the&page,&etc.).&&The&second&question&should&elicit&deeper&layers&of&meaning&(some&personal,&some&philosophical).&&&

❖ Think'about'the'stories'that'come'to'mind'when'you'read'the'titles'of'each'poem.'Share'these'stories'with'your'group'and'think'about'how'they'are'similar'and'different.'Discuss'the'different'images'upon'which'group'members'choose'to'focus'and'why'these'images'are'important.''

❖ Read'the'poem'out'loud'and'listen'for'the'accented'syllables.'Is'there'a'musicality'to'the'mixture'of'accented'and'unaccented'syllables?'Does'the'poem'sound'dissonant'or'melodic?'How'does'the'sound'of'the'poem'affect'your'understanding'of'it?''

❖ Look'at'the'lines'of'the'poem.'Think'about'the'ways'in'which'each'line'begins'and'ends.'Are'the'words'nouns'or'adjectives,'conjunctions'or'pronouns?'Do'the'words,'on'their'own,'cause'the'reader'to'pause'and'reflect'on'the'importance'of'the'line'or'do'they'carry'the'reader'forward'through'the'line'(or'onto'the'next'line)?'

❖ What'about'punctuation?'What'purpose'does'it'serve'the'line?'Look'into'the'line'itself'and'think'about'how'commas'and'dashes,'parentheses'and'semicolons'direct'the'reading'of'the'poem.''

❖ With'music'comes'tone.'What'does'the'tone'of'the'poem'suggest?'Is'it'quiet'and'reflective,'loud'and'bombastic,'angry,'sad,'joyous?'Is'there'a'shift'in'tone'and'a'variety'of'emotions'working'together'or'at'odds'with'each'other?'

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Writing%Prompts%For&each&poem&

Love%Calls%Us%to%the%Things%of%The%World%|%Richard%Wilbur%Call'to'mind'the'impressions,'images,'bodily'aches,'and'halfoformed'thoughts'that'are'your'first'return'to'consciousness'upon'waking'in'the'morning.'Write'a'poem'about'this'liminal'space'between'the'unconscious'and'the'return'to'reality.'Try'to'make'the'poem'move'on'the'page.'

The%Birthing%|%Deborah%Digges%Write'a'narrative'poem'about'an'experience'in'which'you'went'from'bystander'to'participant'in'a'sudden'crisis'or'event,'or'describe'what'it'is'like'to'bear'witness'to'a'life'and'death'experience'in'which'you'remain'helpless.'

For%the%Man%Who%Spun%Plates%|%John%Hodgen%Write'a'poem'set'in'a'cultural'context'by'thinking'of'a'classic'movie,'television'show,'or'song'that'supplies'you'with'a'metaphor'that'you'can'extend'or'twist'to'apply'to'other'situations.'

Prospective%Immigrants%Please%Note%|%Adrienne%Rich%Write'about'an'either/or'dilemma'that'would'be'life'changing.'Use'direct'address'“You”'and'include'a'question'within'the'poem.''

On%Hearing%My%Name%Pronounced%Correctly,%Unexpectedly,%For%Once%|%Rhina%P.%Espaillat%

Write'a'poem'that'describes'the'experience'of'realizing'there'is'something'you'have'lost,'or'gained,'or'both.'(If'you’re'up'to'the'challenge,'try'it'in'sonnet'form.)'

The%Salt%Stronger%|%Fred%Marchant%Write'an'epistolary'poem'(a'poem'as'a'letter).'Describe'the'setting'and'what'is'being'observed'while'the'letter'is'being'written,'and'then'shift'to'the'interior'world'of'the'writer.''

Sea%Grapes%|%Derek%Walcott%Write'about'an'iconic'hero'(classical'or'contemporary)'who'is'lost'on'a'journey'home.'Set'the'scene'with'visual'images,'giving'special'notice'to'sound.'Perhaps'break'out'of'stanzaic'form'with'a'chilling'last'line.'

The%Osprey%|%Mary%Oliver%Observe'or'imagine'something'in'the'natural'world.'Begin'writing'a'poem'that'admires'it.'Then,'using'the'word'“later”'as'a'hinge,'become'the'thing'you'have'observed'and'see'where'it'takes'you.

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About%the%Poets%More&info&at&poets.org&&&poetryfoundation.org&

Deborah%Digges'was'born'in'Jefferson'City,'Missouri'in'1950.'She'received'an'MFA'from'the'Iowa'Writers’'Workshop'and'authored'four'books'of'poetry'and'two'memoirs.'She'lived'in'Massachusetts,'where'she'was'a'professor'of'English'at'Tufts'University.'She'died'in'April'2009.''

Rhina%P.%Espaillat'was'born'in'the'Dominican'Republic'under'the'dictatorship'of'Rafael'Trujillo.'After'Espaillat’s'greatouncle'opposed'the'regime,'her'family'was'exiled'to'the'United'States'and'settled'in'New'York'City.'Writing'in'both'Spanish'and'English,'she'has'published'11'books'of'poetry.'She'is'a'founding'member'and'former'director'of'the'Powow'River'Poets'and'lives'in'Newburyport,'Massachusetts.''

During'his'high'school'years'after'his'father'died,'John%Hodgen'worked'part'time'as'a'gravedigger.'He'has'since'gone'on'to'writing'and'teaching'poetry.'He'reports'that'the'jobs'have'interesting'similarities.'He'lives'in'Shrewsbury,'Massachusetts'and'teaches'at'Assumption'College'in'Worcester.'

Director'of'The'Poetry'Center'at'Suffolk'University'in'Boston,'Fred%Marchant'is'a'graduate'of'Brown'University,'and'later'earned'a'PhD'from'The'University'of'Chicago’s'Committee'on'Social'Thought.'He'is'a'longtime'teaching'affiliate'of'The'William'Joiner'Center'for'the'Study'of'War'and'Social'Consequences'at'the'University'of'MassachusettsoBoston,'and'was'himself'a'conscientious'objector'within'the'military'during'the'Viet'Nam'War.'He'has'published'four'books'of'poetry.'

Mary%Oliver'was'born'in'1935'in'Maple'Heights,'Ohio.'As'a'teenager,'she'lived'briefly'in'the'home'of'Edna'St.'Vincent'Millay,'where'she'helped'Millay’s'family'sort'through'the'papers'the'poet'left'behind.'Her'many'books'of'poetry'and'prose'have'received'numerous'awards.'Oliver'lives'in'Provincetown,'Massachusetts,'the'inspiration'for'much'of'her'work.''

Born'in'Baltimore,'Maryland'in'1929,'poet'and'essayist'Adrienne%Rich'was'one'of'America’s'foremost'public'intellectuals.'Widely'read'and'hugely'influential,'Rich’s'career'spanned'seven'decades.'She'graduated'from'Radcliffe'College'in'1951'and'received'the'Yale'Series'of'Younger'Poets'prize,'selected'by'W.H.'Auden,'that'same'year.'She'lived'in'Cambridge'for'many'years.'Having'written'boldly'for'seven'decades'on'politics,'feminism,'history,'and'racism,'Rich'died'in'March'2012.'

The'recipient'of'the'1992'Nobel'Prize'in'Literature,'Derek%Walcott'was'born'in'Castries,'Saint'Lucia,'the'West'Indies'in'1930.'His'first'published'poem,'“1944”'appeared'in'The&&

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Voice$of$St.$Lucia'when'he'was'fourteen'years'old,'and'consisted'of'44'lines'of'blank'verse.'He'has'published'numerous'books'of'poetry,'essays,'and'plays.'Since'the'1950s,'he'has'divided'his'time'between'Boston,'New'York,'and'Saint'Lucia.'

Born'in'New'York'City'in'1921,'Richard%Wilbur'studied'at'Amherst'College'before'serving'in'the'U.S.'Army'during'World'War'II.'He'later'attended'Harvard'University.'A'former'Poet'Laureate'of'the'United'States,'he'currently'lives'in'Cummington,'Massachusetts.'

A version of many of these biographies originally appeared on poets.org, the website of the Academy of American

Poets, and on poetryfoundation.org. All rights reserved.

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Media%Package%masspoetry.org/mediapackage20155

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Resources%for%Poetry%Exploration%

This'is'by'no'means'a'comprehensive'list—rather,'it'is'a'starting'point,'noting'some'of'the'resources'we'find'richest'for'those'beginning'to'explore'poetry'(as'well'as'those'for'whom'poetry'is'a'daily'part'of'life).'

Poetry%Guides%for%Reading%and%Writing

How$to$Read$a$Poem$and$Fall$in$Love$with$Poetry by'Edward'Hirsch'(ISBNo13:'978o0156005661)'

Bird$by$Bird:$Some$Instructions$on$Writing$and$Life by'Anne'Lamott'(ISBNo13:'978o0385480017)'

A$Poetry$Handbook:$A$Prose$Guide$to$Understanding$and$Writing$Poetryby'Mary'Oliver'(ISBNo13:'978o0156724005)'

The$Sounds$of$Poetry:$A$Brief$Guide$by'Robert'Pinsky'(ISBNo13:'978o0374526177)'

The$Making$of$a$Poem:$A$Norton$Anthology$of$Poetic$Forms by'Mark'Strand'and'Eavan'Boland'(ISBNo13:'978o0393321784)'

Anthologies

Americans’$Favorite$Poems:$The$Favorite$Poem$Project$Anthology edited'by'Robert'Pinsky'and'Maggie'Dietz'(ISBNo13:'978o0393048209)

Good$Poems selected'and'introduced'by'Garrison'Keillor'(ISBNo13:'978o0142003442)'

The$Ecco$Anthology$of$International$Poetry edited'by'Ilya'Kaminsky'and'Susan'Harris'(ISBNo13:'978o0061583247)

Websites'

The'Academy'of'American'PoetsFavorite'Poem'Project How'a'Poem'HappensThe'Poetry'Foundation Mass'Poetry

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About%Mass%Poetry masspoetry.org'

Mass'Poetry'supports'poets'and'poetry'in'Massachusetts.'We'help'to'broaden'the'audience'of'poetry'readers,'bring'poetry'to'readers'of'all'ages'and'transform'people’s'lives'through'inspiring'verse.'We'are'a'tax'exempt,'nonoprofit'organization.''

Our%largest%programs%include: The&Massachusetts&Poetry&FestivalThree'days'of'readings,'workshops,'and'panels.&

Student&Day&of&PoetryA'youth'program'that'brings'students'together'for'an'intensive'day'of'poetry'workshops,'performances,'and'an'open'mic,'held'both'in'and'out'of'schools.'

Common&Threads A'poetry'outreach'program'that'facilitates'the'creation'of'reading'and'discussion'groups'throughout'Massachusetts,'centered'on'a'publication'of'eight'poems'by'Massachusetts'poets,'videos,'and'a'guide'to'reading'and'discussing'the'poems.'Published'annually.'

Poetry&on&the&TPoems'in'place'of'ads'on'the'MBTA;'ran'continuously'from'ApriloOctober'2014'and'is'seeking'new'sponsors.'

Professional&Development&for&Teachers Workshops'and'seminars'for'educators'led'by'successful'and'engaging'poetoinstructors.''

U35&Reading&Series A'reading'series'for'poets'under'the'age'of'35,'held'every'other'month'at'The'Marliave'in'Downtown'Crossing.'

Fiscal%Sponsorship We'are'the'proud'fiscal'sponsor'of'MassLEAP'and'Louder'Than'A'Bomb'Massachusetts.'''Online%PublicationsWeekly'articles'and'poems,'continuous'promotion'of'new'books'by'Massachusetts'poets,'a'monthly'Massachusetts&Poet&in&the&Spotlight&newsletter'(5400+'subscribers),'and'more.'Plus:'facebook.com/masspoetry'|'twitter.com/masspoetry'|'@masspoetry'

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About'the'Common'Threads'Team

Alice'Kociemba'is"the"author"of"the"chapbook"Death)of)Teaticket)Hardware"(2011),"the"title"poem"of"which"won"an"International"Merit"Award"from"the"Atlanta)Review."She"directs"Calliope"Poetry"Series,"a"monthly"poetry"series"at"the"West"Falmouth"Library,"and"is"a"member"of"the"Jamaica"Pond"Poets."Alice"is"a"member"of"the"Advisory"Board"and"Program"Planning"Committee"of"the"Massachusetts"Poetry"Festival."She"is"a"psychotherapist"and"lives"in"Falmouth,"Massachusetts."

Laurin'Macios"is"Program"Director"of"Mass"Poetry."In"addition"to"Common"Threads,"she"produces"Student"Day"of"Poetry,"Professional"Development,"Poetry"on"the"T,"and"the"U35"Reading"Series."She"holds"an"MFA"from"the"University"of"New"Hampshire,"where"she"taught"on"fellowship"for"three"years,"and"has"a"background"in"publishing."She"has"been"published"in"a"handful"of"journals,"which"can"be"perused"at"laurinbeckermacios.com."

Gabrielle'Tyson"is"Program"Assistant"at"Mass"Poetry"and"the"coordinator"of"Partnering"Poets"for"Common"Threads."She"is"a"recent"graduate"of"Emerson"College,"where"she"studied"writing,"literature,"and"publishing."Her"fiction"has"been"included"in"on>campus"publications"and"her"poetry"recently"appeared"in"Burningword"Literary)Journal."Gabby"has"worked"previously"in"publishing"at"Elsevier"and"for"the"literary"journal"Ploughshares."

Riley'Fearon'of"Riley"Fearon"Productions"has"been"featured"in"Filmmaker"Magazine"and"been"nominated"for"several"awards"including"Florida’s"Crystal"Reel"Awards."He"has"been"involved"with"many"production"companies"ranging"from"Fox,"HBO,"NBC,"Warner"Bros."and"many"local"commercials,"promotional"web"videos"and"more."Riley"Fearon"Productions"is"a"video"production"company"based"out"of"the"Greater"Boston"Area."Fully"equipped"with"the"latest"high>end"production"gear,"Riley"Fearon"Productions"produces"quality"HD"videos"for"a"wide"range"of"clients.""

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Acknowledgements%

Mass'Poetry'is'grateful'for'the'poets'and'publishers'who'gave'their'support'and'permissions'to'this'edition'of'Common'Threads,'and'to'everyone'across'the'state'of'Massachusetts'who'is'taking'the'time'to'bring'poetry'to'their'communities.'We'would'also'like'to'thank'the'many'poets'who'volunteered'their'time'as'Partnering'Poets,'offering'to'partner'with'discussion'group'leaders'across'the'state'who'requested'support.'A'thank'you'to'Massachusetts'artist'Denise'Manseau'who'donated'her'piece'Summer$Light'for'the'cover—a'piece'that'evokes'this'issue’s'theme'of'love'calling'us'to'the'things'of'the'world'and'to'each'other.'A'thank'you'to'Rhina'P.'Espaillat,'John'Hodgen,'and'Fred'Marchant,'for'their'time,'enthusiasm,'and'warmth,'to'Riley'Fearon'for'this'year’s'wonderful'videos,'and'to'Noah'Tucker'for'his'Word'expertise.'A'thank'you'to'Robert'Pinsky'for'his'time'and'generosity'in'composing'“How'to'Read'a'Poem”'specifically'for'Common'Threads'readers,'as'well'as'his'support'of'Mass'Poetry'yearoround.'And'of'course,'a'big'thank'you'to'Alice'Kociemba,'Guest'Editor,'for'her'many'months'of'hard'work'and'attention,'and'her'commitment'and'devotion'to'Common'Threads.''

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Sincere'gratitude'and'appreciation'to'the'poets'and'readers'who'spent'their'time'recommending'such'a'deep'pool'of'poems,'from'which'these'eight'Common'Threads'were'chosen.'And'especially'to'poetofriends'who'listened'to'my'obsession'about'which'poets'and'poems'to'select.'Judy'Askew,'Lorna'Knowles'Blake,'Kathleen'Casey,'Jarita'Davis,'Dorothy'Derifield,'Susan'Donnelly,'Alan'Feldman,'Prosser'Gifford,'Roger'Kessel,'Henry'Lyman,'Barbara'McGovern,'Kathleen'Voigt,'Sheila'Whitehouse.'And'to'the'generous'Robert'Pinsky,'whose'Favorite'Poems'Project'as'US'Poet'Laureate'has'been'crucial'to'building'a'general'audience'for'poetry.''Thank'you'for'adding'your'essay'to'Common'Threads.'With'the'vision'of'Michael'Ansara'and'the'rock'solid'support'and'steady'guidance'of'Laurin'Macios,'my'commitment'to'Common'Threads'continues'to'be'a'labor'of'love.''—Alice$Kociemba

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Copyright%Information%

“The'Birthing”'from'THE'WIND'BLOWS'THROUGH'THE'DOORS'OF'MY'HEART:'POEMS'by'Deborah'Digges,'copyright'©'2010'by'The'Estate'of'Deborah'Digges.'Used'by'permission'of'Alfred'A.'Knopf,'an'imprint'of'the'Knopf'Doubleday'Publishing'Group,'a'division'of'Random'House'LLC.'All'rights'reserved.'

“On'Hearing'My'Name'Pronounced'Correctly,'Unexpectedly,'for'Once,”'from'HER'PLACE'IN'THESE'DESIGNS$(2008)'by'Rhina'Espaillat.'Reprinted'by'permission'of'Truman'State'University'Press.''

“For'the'Man'Who'Spun'Plates”'from'GRACE,'by'John'Hodgen,'©'2006.'Reprinted'and'used'by'permission'of'University'of'Pittsburgh'Press.'

Fred'Marchant,'"The'Salt'Stronger,"'from'THE'LOOKING'HOUSE.$Copyright'©'2009'by'Fred'Marchant.'Reprinted'with'the'permission'of'Graywolf'Press,'Minneapolis,'Minnesota,'www.graywolfpress.org.'

“The'Osprey”'from'WEST'WIND'by'Mary'Oliver.'Copyright'©'1997'by'Mary'Oliver.'Used'by'permission'of'Houghton'Mifflin'Harcourt'Publishing'Company.'All'rights'reserved.'

“Prospective'Immigrants'Please'Note”'Copyright'©'2002,'1967,'1963'by'Adrienne'Rich'from'THE'FACT'OF'A'DOORFRAME:'SELECTED'POEMS'1950o2001'by'Adrienne'Rich.'Used'by'permission'of'W.W.'Norton'&'Company,'Inc.'

“Sea'Grapes”'from'COLLECTED'POEMS'1948o1984'by'Derek'Walcott.'Copyright'©'1986'by'Derek'Walcott.'Reprinted'by'permission'of'Farrar,'Straus'and'Giroux,'LLC.'

“Love'Calls'Us'To'The'Things'Of'This'World”'from'THINGS'OF'THIS'WORLD'by'Richard'Wilbur.'Copyright'©'1956'and'renewed'1984'by'Richard'Wilbur.'Reprinted'by'permission'of'Houghton'Mifflin'Harcourt'Publishing'Company.'All'rights'reserved.

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