To celebrate NCTE’s conference in Vegas, I went looking for a Vegas poem. Here’s one by Minnesota poet Robert Bly.
Driving West in 1970
By Robert BlyMy dear children, do you remember the morning
When we climbed into the old Plymouth
And drove west straight toward the Pacific?We were all the people there were.
We followed Dylan’s songs all the way west.
It was Seventy; the war was over, almost;And we were driving to the sea.
We had closed the farm, tucked in
The flap, and were eating the honeyOf distance and the word “there.”
Read the entire poem here.
Photo: Wikinews:User:David_Vasquez
(You’ll have to read the second half of the poem to see the Vegas reference.) I like that 4th line–it really captures that feeling of an intimate group on an adventure! I also love “eating the honey / Of distance…” Vegas does seem alien somehow, very “there” indeed.
The prolific writer and terrific teacher Anastasia Suen has the?Poetry Friday roundup.
P.S. PF regulars, I’m out of town (in Vegas!)–if you don’t see me in the roundup, would someone add my link? I’ll try to get online to do that, but just in case…thanks!
“And we were driving to the sea.”
Wish I could do that now! Have fun at NCTE!! 🙂
As a kid, my road trips to the sea were only an hour long, since I lived in Orlando. But there is something about driving to the ocean, even when it’s so close, that is otherworldly. You’re going to the end of land, and it feels epic somehow. Had a great time at NCTE!
“And we were driving to the sea.”
Wish I could do that now! Have fun at NCTE!! 🙂
As a kid, my road trips to the sea were only an hour long, since I lived in Orlando. But there is something about driving to the ocean, even when it’s so close, that is otherworldly. You’re going to the end of land, and it feels epic somehow. Had a great time at NCTE!
Great pic, Laura – thanks for sharing. Have a FABULOUS time at NCTE! That poetry panel is gonna rock.
We had a super time on the poetry panel, AND a decent crowd considering we were the last time slot of the day! Great fellow speakers and an enthusiastic audience:>)
Great pic, Laura – thanks for sharing. Have a FABULOUS time at NCTE! That poetry panel is gonna rock.
We had a super time on the poetry panel, AND a decent crowd considering we were the last time slot of the day! Great fellow speakers and an enthusiastic audience:>)
I almost posted a Bly poem myself today! Enjoy NCTE. Wish I had made plans to go. Ah well, another year.
It was super amazing. And I am exhausted:>)
I almost posted a Bly poem myself today! Enjoy NCTE. Wish I had made plans to go. Ah well, another year.
It was super amazing. And I am exhausted:>)
And the war was over, almost. It was as if the whole country was beginning a long sigh! Hope you’re having a blast, Laura. Thanks for the poem.
I had an absolutely wonderful time–thanks, Linda! Love that *sigh* feeling.
And the war was over, almost. It was as if the whole country was beginning a long sigh! Hope you’re having a blast, Laura. Thanks for the poem.
I had an absolutely wonderful time–thanks, Linda! Love that *sigh* feeling.
Nothing like a road trip…. I hope you had fun at NCTE. Can’t wait to hear all about it from my fellow teacher who got to go.
NCTE was awesome! Hope your teacher friend had an exciting and inspiring time.
Nothing like a road trip…. I hope you had fun at NCTE. Can’t wait to hear all about it from my fellow teacher who got to go.
NCTE was awesome! Hope your teacher friend had an exciting and inspiring time.