Coffee

Let’s see… I went to return some movies (and to rent some more) around 11. Walked around the neighborhood some on the way. Here’s one that’s near Damen and Wabansia… a tree with a bunch of Christmas lights still strung all over it.

Afterwards, I ambled down Milwaukee and went inside Filter. I’ve gotten a few things from the place off and on, and this was probably the first time I’ve gone here alone. Just to sit and read for a bit.

At first, I was really self-conscious walking in there. I’m not sure why… maybe this is my whole public/outside issue thing going on. I got a mocha (love those things) and ended up being 55 cents short. I was a bit embarrassed, and ended up having to go to a cash machine (across the street) to get a $20 to cover it. The whole time, I got this impression that everyone knew one another, that everyone in the place was part of some hipster group and that I didn’t belong. I know – silly, isn’t it? But this is how I felt, from not having enough money to the way the servers were interacting with me. Which is stupid and completely untrue.

So I got my drink and, unable to find a table, I settled into a chair near some couches. I brought a copy of Sharon Olds’ The Dead and the Living to read. I intended to write the poem I owe Matt here, in public, inside the coffee house.

Only after about thirty minutes did I finally get comfortable, lose the self-conscious feeling that had been bugging me, and relaxed fully. And let me tell you – reading Olds… every few poems, I’d hit one that would hit me back. Hard. I love her style and I’ve read this collection several times over. But every few poems, I’d want to lean over to someone, anyone, and read the damn thing out loud.

I want to type in one of her poems, and I’ll probably do it in a bit. If I had my way, and typed in all the poems I liked for you here… I’d be copying like half this book. Sharon Olds is someone to check out. I admire her a lot, and her work is something I recommend. I think that this is why I like Billy Collins and Sharon Olds so much – I find their writing accessible, lyrical and descriptive; they write poems that are direct, in a language that can be understood by everyone… even people who aren’t fond of poetry. I have a dislike for poems that require "outside" knowledge, and if you are someone who doesn’t know Greek mythology… you’re not gonna get this poem because it all hinges on it. Bullshit! Poems are a form of communication, and I can’t stand it when flowery pretentious language gets in the way of that communication.

*deep breath*

Ok. Sorry about that. Sharon Olds is great. Read her stuff.