40. Notes From A Bright Field | Rose Cook
Friends,
I’ve been reading in the bath lately as life events has meant a reduction in my spare reading time. I must admit this book is absolutely wonderful to read in the bath.
Rose Cook is one of the UK’s best loved poets. Her writing reminds me a lot of Mary Oliver but feels more British, if that makes sense!
A few of my faves from this collection:
Big Questions
Does God have a face
and why are we here?
What is the answer?
How would we know?
Why do you look so lost
leaning your arms on the table
waiting for your tea to cool?
Is anyone found?
Is there an always?
Can people really die of never?
Who began all this?
Who makes the rules?
What closes hearts?
How can we learn to love?
On Bringing Up Girls
Aren’t you going to clip her wings? they said.
That’s usual for a girl her age, isn’t it?
and we said we didn’t want to clip her wings
and they watched our little daughter grow
bright and strong and they said
Aren’t you going to tie her feet? That’s
advisable for a young girl, isn’t it?
and we said we didn’t want to tie her feet
and they saw a young woman growing
clear and brave and before they could say anything else
we said, Now it’s time to teach her to fly
and they fell back.
They are teaching her to fly, they repeated,
teaching her to fly.
How wonderful, said their daughters,
and how interesting.
And of course, my absolute best:
