poem: darcy luetzow staddon
the work of want
1.
it was nearly a gameshow except it was a baby in another
room and we wondered about the scoop of her hands or I
did
my husband wondered if he had it in him to care for a child
from the milk-eyed baby stage
we want big lives
we also want bland evenings with lap blankets and tv shows
2.
when big life arrives with its bundle of papers and outlandish
requests. when it underscores that your choice here (see?)
is non-refundable for what comes after is written.
when you have a choice and beyond the
paperclip is the news about who you will be when you
receive what you said yes to.
3.
your yes. you thought it had a shelf life beyond the hinged
door of your mouth. you
thought you had beckoned it from the truth basement of
you from the silver
wants of you. and maybe you did and maybe we want
things and we don’t know why but we quickly try to unwant
them. you know. I’m sure you know.
4.
I wanted to receive the baby. my yes was written carved on
the desk.
my husband knew the size of my yes he knew the yell of my
yes. his yes: a
peanut on a paper plate.
but when the winds come through
5.
I wanted in the way I had and so did he.
this is not about how I am better at slashing yes into the
walls around,
this is about our wanting and the choosing and the gathering
of peanuts and plates from the dirt.
doing the work of want / resetting the picnic
6.
please let my wings beat fully for one minute as I want I want I want
about the author: darcy leutzow staddon
Darcy Luetzow Staddon lives on a farm in Japan with her husband, two
daughters, chickens, and dog. She and her family run a small recovery
farm for Japanese hikikomori (those who have suffered from extreme
social withdrawal) and others who need a healing place. Darcy has loved writing poetry since age 8; she has also loved music and singing for just as long. Guitar and songwriting came along a bit later.
Website: https://www.ihadahugeneedforlight.com/
Instagram: darcy_staddon
