National Poetry Month – Day 20 – “Some Things For Which There Is No Compensation”

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Here’s a kind of grim poem written in my favorite venue–the New York City subway system.  It’s not about the subway system;  I was actually thinking of Marthe Jocelyn’s book Scribbling Women, and Sei Shonagon of Imperial Japan who wrote The Pillow Book, which includes compendiums of insightful and charming lists.  I’m not sure what I wrote qualifies, but the list idea did help me come up with the draft poem of the day.   (Note that the numbers are part of the poem.)

Some Things For Which There is No Compensation

  1. Not feeling loved.
  2. Or loved enough.
  3. One’s own cruelty.
  4. Burial.
  5. Cremation.
  6. Flowers in any of those circumstances.
  7. No flowers.
  8. Loss of memory/memories.
  9. Of one’s own.
  10. Or others.
  11. Worse, neglect of them:  (a) memories, (b) others, (c) flowers.
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2 Comments on “National Poetry Month – Day 20 – “Some Things For Which There Is No Compensation””

  1. onecanvasonesoul's avatar onecanvasonesoul Says:

    I found this relatively clever because your ideas seemed to fit the chronology. I also enjoyed reading where your idea came from. Sometimes the inspiration in for the poem is it’s own story! =)

    • ManicDdaily's avatar manicddaily Says:

      Thanks so much. The inspiration for this one is a bit more convoluted than the book, but you are certainly right about that.


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