Comments on: Wilderness

By: Thursday Drive » Trading places with myself

Thursday Drive » Trading places with myself — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:43:01 +0000

[...] (start to) fix…TEOM on Nothing a ride in a Jeep can’t (start to) fix…Angela on WildernessSports Mama on Nothing a ride in a Jeep can’t (start to) fix…Suzanne on Nothing a ride [...]

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:39:38 +0000

What a fantastic piece that is. And I know that fear, too. Always, your writing is like this long narrow finger that points to something microscopic about living this life that I never thought of before….and it puts it front and center. Beautiful..even in your frustration. Yep.

By: JCK

JCK — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:02:39 +0000

You know, I had to come back and comment on this poem again. Now that I’m reading it fresh, and not overtired, I have to say that the poem makes me angry. And she had so much anger against her own sex. It does have to be taken in the context of the time period, but really, women had amazing qualities then and now. And not all of us are the same. Most importantly, perhaps she was writing about herself and feeling powerless over her world. Women have been using axes for a looong time. But, then I’m being too literal with this, perhaps?

By: Coco

Coco — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:01:47 +0000

They use against themselves that benevolence
To which no man is friend.

Oh yeah. This is me. Everyone else matters more than me.

Time to myself? Ha. My own self-imposed guilt has allowed me to write exactly for an hour this week, total.

Maybe I need more wilderness, come to think of it.

By: ByJane

ByJane — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:42:52 +0000

Wow! does she ever paint a desperate, sterile vision of being a man! If I had my Oxford Dictionary of Women Writer’s with me, I’d look Bogan up. I can’t remember what I once knew about her, but her bitterness is palpable. Not a poem I’d take to heart; it’s too narrow a vision of both men and women.

By: Minnesota Matron

Minnesota Matron — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:47:02 +0000

Anyone working on a novel has wildness inside — an expanse! I love Louise Bogan for all her contradictions. She sometimes appeared to despise women. I don’t think she appreciated that all women weren’t as courageous as she, as able to find a voice. Different times. On the other side of 40, that pressure builds. . .

By: we_be_toys

we_be_toys — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:21:57 +0000

Interesting poem – I was a little put off by her initially.

I can really understand how you feel about your state of stasis – story of my life, girl!
But a big part of your having to wait isn’t your doing – its what comes from compromising in a relationship. And while everyone has to compromise, I do think your time to insist on doing for you is looming nearer. It can’t always be what ’s best for hubby or the kids – sometimes Mom has to come first.

btw, I have been told that turning 40 means you don’t have to answer to anyone else – I’m just saying!! )

By: Jenn @ Juggling Life

Jenn @ Juggling Life — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:10:13 +0000

I like what Mary Alice said. I think it’s important to connect with what stage you’re at and enjoy it. I am back in school studying what I love and I am energized and enthused. But if I’d done it earlier I would have missed days with my little ones I could never get back.

It is such a balancing act.

By: Nicole P

Nicole P — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:24:00 +0000

I agree, you do have wilderness in your Jennifer….me too. I completely understand everything that you are saying here.

By: suburbancorrespondent

suburbancorrespondent — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:15:41 +0000

I don’t think the poetess ever had children, or she wouldn’t call our love an eager meaninglessness…she doesn’t really understand the deepness of women, or what we value…she doesn’t understand what motivates us to make the choices we make. It’s not fear, but love – fierce, nurturing, home-building love…