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We reprint poems by living Americans, about American life, but sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the many beautiful and moving poems written by American poets no longer with us.
Robert Francis has been gone for thirty years but I turn to his poems again and again.
Here's a favorite of mine from his “Collected Poems: 1936-1976” from University of Massachusetts Press.
The Sound I Listened For
What I remember is the ebb and flow of sound
That summer morning as the mower came and went
And came again, crescendo and diminuendo,
And always when the sound was loudest how it ceased
A moment while he backed the horses for the turn,
The rapid clatter giving place to the slow click
And the mower's voice. That was the sound I listened for,
The voice did what the horses did. It shared the action
As sympathetic magic does or incantation.
The voice hauled and the horses hauled. The strength of one
Was in the other and in the strength was impatience.
Over and over as the mower made his rounds
I heard his voice and only once or twice he backed
And turned and went ahead and spoke no word at all.
American Life in Poetry does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It is made possible by The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Poem copyright ©1985 by Robert Francis, "The Sound I Listened For," from Collected Poems: 1936-1976, (University of Massachusetts Press, 1985). Poem reprinted by permission of the publisher. Introduction copyright @2019 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction’s author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004-2006.
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- Written by: Ted Kooser
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – This Saturday, Sept. 7, Middletown Art Center hosts a double header of art and culture.
First, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., you can enjoy the closing reception for the “Nature” exhibit in the main gallery, as well as a collection of Alana Clearlake’s work in the small gallery. Artists will be on hand to discuss their work.
Then at 7:30 p.m. the MAC Film Club will screen “Rocketman.” Visitors are encouraged to dress in glam rock attire,
The “Nature” exhibit features work by local artists and includes Alana Clearlake’s newest painting, “Hard Rain.” The piece is a 13-panel dramatic progression of climate conditions and intensity that spans just over 16 feet. A collection of Clearlake’s sculptures and paintings in enamel, felt and mixed media “Sneak Peek” is on view in the small gallery.
Both exhibits will close Sunday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m., and are well worth the visit to downtown Middletown.
The exhibits can also be seen this Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. as part of First Friday in Middletown (from 6 to 9 p.m.), this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The next exhibit, “All That Is Now,” the fourth Fire Anniversary commemoration, opens Friday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., with an exhibition reception, spoken word, dance and music. Those wishing to perform a fire/recovery related piece may contact
Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29 in the heart of Middletown.
Stay up to date on all classes, exhibits and events, and consider a membership to support this valuable Lake County arts and culture resource at www.middletownartcenter.org.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
