Comments on: Shifting Load

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:43:45 +0000

Parabola is a good word. It also occurs to me that “burden” is another word for “refrain.” I don’t completely understand this poem, and hope I never do. (My own biggest self-criticism is that my work is too readily understandable.) A great start for what I hope will turn into a fruitful dialogue.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:22:14 +0000

I love the parabola of the poem, and “the sound of summer / perfecting its two-step” and “Country cousin, / I work a two-strand braid, / from outside in.”

And yes, hearing it aloud doubles the wonder for me. So glad this dialogue in poetry is arising.

By: marja-leena

marja-leena — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:55:33 +0000

I love this, too! Thanks Teju, wonderful to hear your voice.

By: Jo

Jo — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:01:56 +0000

Clapping hugely…….love it!

By: Pica

Pica — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 03:22:41 +0000

fantastic rhythms here. more please.

By: Teju Cole

Teju Cole — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:57:13 +0000

This is meant as a back and forth, a conversation in poetry, between Dave and me. I can’t wait to see what develops.

Bill, Peter: the lingo is indeed Naija. Nigerian pidgin, to be precise–the lingua franca of the people.

Thank you all for your comments.

By: leslee

leslee — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:45:49 +0000

Very nice.

By: beth

beth — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:13:28 +0000

Tonight, tired, headachy, these words and Teju’s voice were as warm and welcome as a hot cloth on my forehead. Thanks.

By: Natalie d'Arbeloff

Natalie d'Arbeloff — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:17:09 +0000

Beautiful, and wonderfully spoken.

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:37:25 +0000

Such resonance.

I love the lingo (is it naija?), whatever it means.

I love “gold and man agree / to carry such a load.”

Heck, I love it all.

The setting seems to be Dave’s. Is Dave a “country cousin”? Did Teju visit and absorb his surroundings this well?