Forgetfulness (by Hart Crane)


Hart Crane
Hart Crane, 1899-1932

Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness is like a song
That, freed from beat and measure, wanders.
Forgetfulness is like a bird whose wings are reconciled,
Outspread and motionless, —
A bird that coasts the wind unwearyingly.

Forgetfulness is rain at night,
Or an old house in a forest, — or a child.
Forgetfulness is white, — white as a blasted tree,
And it may stun the sybil into prophecy,
Or bury the Gods.

I can remember much forgetfulness.


composed circa the summer of 1918
first published in
The Pagan 3 (Aug-Sep 1918)

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Comments

  • 9/7/2008 8:10 AM chrissy wrote:
    Ah.... like this. Need to re-read it several more times to savor it. I like the Zen feel that this has too.

    I wish I could write good short pieces... I always seem to have a lot to say when I write.
    I admire poets like you and Dickenson and others who are very economical in getting their ideas across. I guess it must take practice.
    Reply to this
    1. 9/8/2008 4:21 AM Jesus Crisis wrote:
      Thanks, Chrissy!  I guess I try to be economical in my writing, but sometimes feel I'm a bit longwinded.  I try to remind myself of both Shakespeare's words ("brevity is the soul of wit") and Lao Tzu's ("he who knows does not speak, he who speaks does not know").  But I'm not always successful... lol.
      Reply to this
  • 9/7/2008 8:32 AM shyloh wrote:
    How cool is that? I love this one.
    HELLO YOU!!!
    Reply to this
    1. 9/7/2008 9:01 AM Elena wrote:
      I can remember much forgetfulness also.
      I keep finding things that I thought I had lost and then forgetting where I found them. lol
      A thoughtful poem that I won't soon forget
      Reply to this
    2. 9/8/2008 4:17 AM Jesus Crisis wrote:
        Thanks, Shyloh and Elena!

      Reply to this
  • 9/7/2008 10:12 AM Susan wrote:
    I love it. Great poem!
    Reply to this
    1. 9/8/2008 4:16 AM Jesus Crisis wrote:
      Thanks, Susaan!

      Reply to this
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