no title

Failure

As with any child, you find your own more beautiful-
eager to nurse it along, watch over it,
and taking special pride in each day
it grows more gorgeously like you.

Why not consider it a sort of accomplishment?
Failure doesn’t happen by itself. It takes time,
effort, and a certain undeniable gift.
Satisfaction comes from recognizing what you do best.

Most of what happens is never intended,
but deep inside you know you planned this-
not a slip or a fumble but a total rout.
You only fail at what you really aim for.

——-

from Dana Gioia’s Interrogations at Noon.

I just heard Mr. Gioia speak last weekend, and the man is impressive. Funny, compassionate, and an interesting poet to boot. Also, you can thank him for the fact that the NEA still exists.