Take Heart: A Conversation in Poetry: The Power of It

Edited and introduced by Wesley McNair, Maine Poet Laureate

Ted Bookey of Readfield and his wife, the poet Ruth Bookey, direct the poetry series at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell. Ted?s poetry is a unique combination of the comic and the serious. In today?s poem he writes not only about the power of it, but the force of love.

The Power of It By Ted Bookey

Ruth woke sad today. Life, she says,
Has been behaving itself & hopeful
Expectations continue, so why now
Nameless dread & mope at sunrise?
What is it? What can it be?

I do not know but I will try.
To help her against it
?whatever it is
I put my arms around her,
Tell her, ?What it is, is
There will come moments
When it is simply it.?

I say this for myself
As much as for her?
That it is just it.

& it helps.

---

Take Heart: A Conversation in Poetryis produced in collaboration with the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. Poem copyright © 2005 by Ted Bookey. Reprinted from A Moxie and a Moon Pie: The Best of Moon Pie Press, Volume 1, Moon Pie Press, 2005, by permission of Ted Bookey. Questions about submitting to Take Heart may be directed to David Turner, Special Assistant to the Maine Poet Laureate, at poetlaureate@mainewriters.org or 207-228-8263.