WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.370 align:middle line:90% 00:00:02.370 --> 00:00:05.670 align:middle line:84% I'm going to start with a poem that's 00:00:05.670 --> 00:00:09.900 align:middle line:84% particularly inappropriate I think to this group 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:12.600 align:middle line:90% mainly because you're all here. 00:00:12.600 --> 00:00:17.850 align:middle line:84% And it's a poem to people who don't like poetry too much. 00:00:17.850 --> 00:00:21.120 align:middle line:84% And it attempts to be somewhat sympathetic. 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:24.000 align:middle line:84% The title of the poem is "Poem For People Who Are 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:26.910 align:middle line:84% Understandably Too Busy To Read Poetry." 00:00:26.910 --> 00:00:29.940 align:middle line:90% And that's even us sometimes. 00:00:29.940 --> 00:00:33.010 align:middle line:84% So it probably but not most of the time. 00:00:33.010 --> 00:00:38.640 align:middle line:84% So it probably isn't for you, But I read it anyway anyway. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:40.560 align:middle line:84% The thing that you should know about it 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:42.780 align:middle line:84% is that there's a poem within a poem 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:45.300 align:middle line:84% and it'll be self-evident I think, 00:00:45.300 --> 00:00:48.390 align:middle line:84% but I will just raise my hand like this 00:00:48.390 --> 00:00:53.130 align:middle line:84% when the poem within a poem begins and put it down 00:00:53.130 --> 00:00:55.065 align:middle line:90% when it ceases. 00:00:55.065 --> 00:00:58.350 align:middle line:90% 00:00:58.350 --> 00:01:00.960 align:middle line:84% "Poem For People Who Are Understandably Too Busy To Read 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:04.390 align:middle line:90% Poetry." 00:01:04.390 --> 00:01:08.890 align:middle line:84% "Relax, this won't last long, or if it does 00:01:08.890 --> 00:01:13.570 align:middle line:84% or if the lines make you sleepy or bored, give in to sleep, 00:01:13.570 --> 00:01:17.170 align:middle line:90% turn on the TV, deal the cards. 00:01:17.170 --> 00:01:20.110 align:middle line:84% This poem is built to withstand such things. 00:01:20.110 --> 00:01:22.450 align:middle line:90% Its feelings cannot be hurt. 00:01:22.450 --> 00:01:27.730 align:middle line:84% They exist somewhere in the poet and I am far away. 00:01:27.730 --> 00:01:31.420 align:middle line:84% Pick it up any time, start it in the middle if you wish. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:34.360 align:middle line:84% It is as approachable as melodrama 00:01:34.360 --> 00:01:38.380 align:middle line:84% and can offer you violence if it is violence you like. 00:01:38.380 --> 00:01:42.730 align:middle line:84% Look, there's a man on a sidewalk in a red puddle, 00:01:42.730 --> 00:01:46.090 align:middle line:84% I spot my dreams beside his open head. 00:01:46.090 --> 00:01:49.610 align:middle line:90% They've never been clearer. 00:01:49.610 --> 00:01:52.360 align:middle line:84% This is your poem, and I know you're busy at the office 00:01:52.360 --> 00:01:55.270 align:middle line:84% or the kids are into your last good nerve. 00:01:55.270 --> 00:01:57.670 align:middle line:84% Maybe it's sex you've always wanted. 00:01:57.670 --> 00:02:01.360 align:middle line:84% Well, they lie together like the parties unbuttoned 00:02:01.360 --> 00:02:05.440 align:middle line:84% coats slumped on the bed, waiting for drunken arms 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:07.660 align:middle line:90% to move them. 00:02:07.660 --> 00:02:10.810 align:middle line:84% There I don't think you want me to go on. 00:02:10.810 --> 00:02:13.690 align:middle line:84% Everyone has his expectations, but this is 00:02:13.690 --> 00:02:16.090 align:middle line:90% a poem for the entire family. 00:02:16.090 --> 00:02:19.420 align:middle line:84% Right now Budweiser is dripping from a waterfall, 00:02:19.420 --> 00:02:23.560 align:middle line:84% deodorants are hissing into armpits of people you resemble, 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:28.780 align:middle line:84% and the two lovers are dressing now saying farewell. 00:02:28.780 --> 00:02:31.700 align:middle line:84% I don't know what music this poem can come up with, 00:02:31.700 --> 00:02:35.110 align:middle line:84% but clearly it is needed for its apparent 00:02:35.110 --> 00:02:37.700 align:middle line:84% they will never see each other again. 00:02:37.700 --> 00:02:40.390 align:middle line:84% And we need music for this because there was never 00:02:40.390 --> 00:02:45.220 align:middle line:84% music when he or she left you standing on that corner. 00:02:45.220 --> 00:02:49.220 align:middle line:84% You see, I want this poem to be nicer than life. 00:02:49.220 --> 00:02:52.150 align:middle line:84% I want you to look at it when anxiety zigzags 00:02:52.150 --> 00:02:55.750 align:middle line:84% your stomach and the last tranquilizer is gone 00:02:55.750 --> 00:02:58.390 align:middle line:84% and you need someone to tell you I'll 00:02:58.390 --> 00:03:04.090 align:middle line:84% be here when you want me like the sound inside a shell. 00:03:04.090 --> 00:03:07.780 align:middle line:84% The poem is saying that to you now. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:10.450 align:middle line:84% But do not give up anything for this poem, 00:03:10.450 --> 00:03:14.560 align:middle line:84% it doesn't expect much, it will never say more than listening 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:16.270 align:middle line:90% can explain. 00:03:16.270 --> 00:03:20.140 align:middle line:84% Just keep it in your attache case or in your house. 00:03:20.140 --> 00:03:24.190 align:middle line:84% And if you're not asleep by now or bored beyond sense, 00:03:24.190 --> 00:03:28.120 align:middle line:84% the poem wants you to laugh, laugh with yourself, 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:31.840 align:middle line:84% laugh at this poem, at all poetry. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:34.930 align:middle line:90% Come on, good. 00:03:34.930 --> 00:03:37.990 align:middle line:90% 00:03:37.990 --> 00:03:40.630 align:middle line:90% Now here's what poetry can do. 00:03:40.630 --> 00:03:42.880 align:middle line:90% Imagine yourself a caterpillar. 00:03:42.880 --> 00:03:46.690 align:middle line:84% There's an awful shrug and suddenly you're beautiful 00:03:46.690 --> 00:03:49.260 align:middle line:90% for as long as you live." 00:03:49.260 --> 00:03:59.000 align:middle line:90%