WEBVTT

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Last year, my friend and
teacher, Tony Hoagland,

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said my poems are
so full of noise

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that he couldn't
walk through them.

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[LAUGHTER]

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He challenged me
to write something

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that wasn't full of noise.

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And he said, I want you
to call it calm poem.

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So here it is, "Calm Poem."

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"Of all the poems I've
written, this calm poem

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is definitely my favorite.

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It came at the end
of a calamitous day.

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I couldn't remember what
to say during a lecture.

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I cried while reading a
philosophical preface.

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When I looked in
the mirror I saw

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pieces of a blue jay and
the world turned my stomach

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and gathered dust.

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Forget it said the poem.

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Now, you are safe at home.

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Many people love you.

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No need to create a scene.

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No need to punctuate
the roar of the page.

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Go to sleep and dream you're
a giant paper snowflake.

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There is nothing
to be afraid of."

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