Just finished my last class and man was that a relief. With two midterms and a ten page fiction story to do before the weekend, it was hard to stay focused...but I am now OFFICALLY on break...yippppeeee!
Were going to a John Mayer concert tomorrow (so excited right now I can barely breathe) and were leaving early tomorrow morning so that we can spend the day there before the concert at night. Seeing as I havn't been to a concert since Brittney Spears in 7th grade I am beyond thrilled. Plus it's John Mayer so you can't go wrong! This is probably the most exciting thing that I am going to do over the break seeing as we have to stay in Oxford for track. Not that bad...just will be pretty boring because there won't be anyone here besides track people. I'm sure we will find some fun things to do (aka laying out by the pool, shopping, movies) IF the weather will allow it. 60's just wont cut it, not to be greedy but I'm hoping for at least 70's over this break, then it will feel like a real vacation.
Over vacation my assignment for my poetry class is to read a book from the list that the teacher gave us in class. I chose Beth Ann Fennelly, a resident of Oxford,MS simply because her poetry is about real life things: her daughter being born, becoming her own person etc.
One of my favorites:
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Souvenir by Beth Ann Fennelly
Though we vacationed in a castle, though I
rode you hard one morning to the hum
of bees that buggered lavender, and later
we shared gelato by a spotlit dome
where pigeons looped like coins from a parade--
we weren’t transported back to newlyweds.
We only had a week, between new jobs,
we both were pinched with guilt at leaving Claire.
When, in our most expensive, most romantic meal,
you laid your sunburned hand upon your heart,
it was just to check the phone was on.
When the trip was good as over--when the train
would take us overnight to Rome, the flight
would take us home--I had the unimportant
moment I keep having. I wonder if
we choose what we recall?
The train was unromantic, smoky. We found a free
compartment, claimed the two bench seats, and eyed
the door. Italians who peered in and saw
your shoes, my auburn hair, our Let’s Go: Rome,
soon found another car. And we were glad.
But then, reluctantly, two couples entered,
settled suitcases on laddered racks,
exchanged some cautious greetings, chose their spots.
Then each one turned to snacks and magazines.
The miles scrolled by like film into its shell.
Night fell. Each took a toothbrush down the hall.
Returned. Murmured to the one he knew.
The man beside the window pulled the shade.
We each snapped off our light, slunk down until
our kneecaps almost brushed. And shut our eyes.
Entwined I found us, waking in the dark.
Our dozen interwoven knees, when jostled,
swayed, corrected, swayed the other way.
Knuckles of praying hands were what they seemed.
Or trees in old growth forests, familiarly
enmeshed, one mass beneath the night wind’s breath.
Or death, if we are good, flesh among flesh,
without self consciousness, for once.
Husband,five years husband, you slept, our fellow travelers
slept, scuttling through black time and blacker space.
As we neared the lighted station, I closed my eyes.
Had I been caught awake, I would have moved.
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I love the beautiful words that she uses and real life raw images. Thats what I like about her poetry. I'm 3/4 of the way finished with her book "Tenderhooks" and I love every poem that I read. I'm starting to love this contemporary poetry more and more! Maybe I'll become a poet when I grow up...
Next book on my list: "I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell" by Tucker Max.
One of the girls in my fiction class this afternoon was talking about it, and it seems to me that it's one of those that I have to read. Maybe I'll swing by Square Books sometime this weekend and pick up a copy. So many books to read, not enough time in the day!
Happy Spring Break to all those who have, are on, or are going to have spring break and good luck to the OleMiss track girls at Nationals!!!
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