I, Narcissus
by John Xavier
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This work delves into the freedom and challenges of self-awareness; the poems entwining a philosophical search for truth with the emotional wrestling that comes from serious existential reflection.
78 pages. 9314 words. The ninth original poetry collection by the author. This work delves into the freedom and challenges of self-awareness; the poems entwining a philosophical search for truth with the emotional wrestling that comes from serious existential reflection. Of particular interest though are a number of response poems to notable contemporary poets: including Solmaz Sharif, Ocean Vuong, and Ama Codjoe.
Sample poem:
CANOEING WITH MARY OLIVER
What the river gave back to us, gifted in the currents
Of its unusual cradle, floated past like
Trees felled in an unknown kingdom; the harvest
Immemorial perhaps, generations
Laboring under their own handed-down
Assumptions, a business
Not altogether unnatural no, but it too, gently
Drifting away, fading in connection
There is no need to paddle here, we are
Distinguished guests, welcomed
With appreciation while also tolerated; there are so few
Who just watch and listen
Our people are preoccupied with themselves
But we at least have decent manners
And pay respectful attention
Whenever our host points out some
Possessed wonder; Nature is also proud of its
Creations and we are sincere at least
In our enjoyment of these
Moments, delicate moments, furtive as the soft paws
Belonging to some shy waddling raccoon
Caught in human gaze;
The human uncomfortably near
Nature I think feels the inherent adversary
Our presence holds, even us
Their admirers, as ardent as we are, have
The essence of civilization about us; the waft of
Industry and the
Undoing of the whole wild world
Despite our tangled lineage, we are growing apart
Soon the dream may end, waking us from a
Wilting shade of gratitude; the warm whisper of their
Honeyed breath evaporating
As the leisurely water carrying us last emissaries
Forward widens, like an elemental hand
Spread out in offer to
An inhospitable uncharted shore
The forest parting from us, the bay beyond;
And solitary, towering, the wall
Pale and monolithic, of a grave iceberg
As sudden as it is immense
Silence now, stretching across the entire sky
