The constancy of change is to be wished;
To find a partner and to settle down,
To build a life, where new routines exist,
To memorize her breathing, in and out.
These all seem like regression to the mean,
And you may think it looks boring as sin,
But only once you settle on a scene,
Can change cease from without, and start within.
For in her arms, then I am truly free;
And bathing in her warmth, unlace my suture,
Then I confront all that is worst in me,
To both accept the past and fix the future.
We fight the war so that we might come home,
And grow the skin back over exposéd bone.
Edward Hoke studies Acting and Classics at Northwestern University. For weekly poetry-based posts and photos, follow on instagram at @blandmagyar
Thank you Amy – and by the way, as I have said before, I really like your poetry and think you a fine poet – for clarifying more exactly what I meant. I think that Charlie Sutherland is, sadly, the thin-skinned person in this poetic debate, which as a result of his contribution moves away from discussing Edward Hoke’s fine poem to insisting that we all admire his classical tastes and superior opinions, masquerading as facts, about poetry and what is or isn’t a good poem. So, as with his self-confessed hero, I am done debating with people like that because their egos and self-importance render them totally boring. One thing one can agree on, however, is that the editor of these pages does an excellent job, and in a real way the cause of classical poetry is being advanced; for that I am grateful and intend continuing to support SCP and all the real poets on its pages.
James,
I only have one hero– Jesus Christ. And yes, I do confess him.
“One thing one can agree on, however, is that the editor of these pages does an excellent job, and in a real way the cause of classical poetry is being advanced; for that I am grateful and intend continuing to support SCP and all the real poets on its pages.”
Well said, James. I agree and applaud the excellent job that Evan Mantyk does here, allowing poets like us a platform where we can share our attempts–however feeble–with others who love the “sport” as much as we do!
Looking forward to reading more from you, from Mr. Hoke, Mr. Krusch, Pastor Tweedie, Ms. Wyler, Mr. Wise, Mr. Harris, Mr. Behrens, and so many others. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the SCP.