Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Oh, my heart is broken
Adrienne Rich has died. I am weeping. This is the poem that has been in my heart since I was a teenager, and led me to read so much more of her. I feel like I have lost a light.
“Prospective Immigrants Please Note” by Adrienne Rich
Either you will
go through this door
or you will not go through.
If you go through
there is always the risk
of remembering your name.
Things look at you doubly
and you must look back
and let them happen.
If you do not go through
it is possible
to live worthily
to maintain your attitudes
to 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.
Posted by jessica handler at 6:09 PM
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This was posted on my friend Jessica’s blog today. I was never a monster fan of Rich, but admired her skill, her craft, and I do feel sorrow at her passing. Thanks to Jessica for noting this today…
hankrules2011 