Here we are again with a monthly Inkling challenge. This month Molly challenged us with a prompt from Pádraig Ó Tuama who said “A poem is a word-event going in many directions at once. Sometimes the “you” of a poem is a specific person, at other times it’s the poet, or a general audience, and at times there’s no you at all so the poem addresses itself to the world.”
Molly asked us to write a narrative poem that includes observations about the world and explores the craft of address, the you of a poem. On a recent morning walk, I spoke two observations into my notes app. I felt invaded upon when a truck high up on oversized wheels revved its engine at me as it passed. The other observation was not connected at all. I saw oak tree arms leaning on electric wires. We’ve had a number of sudden storms this summer, and each one is frightening. That’s all to say that poetry is a place where I can vent; I can let steam rise and fall. I address this poem to the you of a random monster truck.
June 6, 2024
You disturb my peace.
You! with your hot wheels
rumbling down the road,
motor revving, disrupt
this peace of mind I’m in
writing a poem
in my head
about birds singing.Birds sing as you pass,
your rolled-up windows
beat-boxing,
shaking a rhythmof my walking, heart pumping
brow sweating. I’m in this groove
you move your hard edge
against.My poem wants
to be kind, but I cannot wash
away your harsh sound
that erases the wind
heaving a heavy sighlike the old oak arms
leaning on electric wires
holding heavy vibration–
a lightning bolt I cryto be saved from.
Margaret Simon, draft
Take a look at how my Inkling friends approached this challenge:
Linda @A Word Edgewise
Catherine @Reading to the Core
Molly @Nix the Comfort Zone
Mary Lee @Another Year of Reading
Heidi @my juicy little universe
Reflections on the Teche 
Oh, yes, Margaret! From Louisiana to Georgia across the miles but in our own space in nature, the noise invades the peace. I am with you here in these moments.
Love how you blended these two ideas into one poem.
Margaret, I empathize with you. Drivers who pass too close are my pet peeve when riding my bike. This poem perfectly captures that moment of fear followed by the rush of anger when someone invades your space and endangers you. Even the oak tree is not immune. You found the perfect “you” to address in this poem.
I really like how you connected those two ideas so seamlessly, Margaret. Well done! (I like speaking into my notes app, too.)
Margaret, I’m grateful it was only the sound that invaded you & not the physical monster on big wheels, itself as I know that walkers have had to stumble in the path of such fast flying land sharks on otherwise calm local roads. BUT such beauty you’ve woven into the event, your feeling & the imagery. It’s a gift you have to take pain & make poetry. Many hugs.
I love so many of the words and images in this poem and can 100% relate to it. We have a neighbor who feels compelled to rev his truck whenever he drives down the road. This spring we’re also dealing with nearby construction, the sounds of which continuously invade our peaceful home. You really captured the visceral sense of invasion and violation from the noise! “I’m in this groove
you move your hard edge
against. “
Those drivers just don’t understand the beauty of nature’s sounds for solitude. You’ve spoken for more than just yourself on this topic! There are such lovely images up against those harsh sounds and electric wires. I can relate to ‘Monster Truck’
I really love the voice in this: “you! with your hot wheels” had me smiling!
Margaret, good for you speaking up and out to the monster truck-like disturbers of the world, disrupting our solace. You have captured truth in your poem and your venting, letting the steam rise and fall is very satisfying in this poem.
“I’m in this groove
you move your hard edge
against.”
Wow–what a strong voice! Margaret, your poems rarely have an attitude of anger or indignance, but it’s working for you. I want more!
Oh, Margaret, I felt that disturbance of your peace down to my bones! And I love the way you deftly wove these ideas and images together. Here’s to a peaceful week for you!
Margaret, each day I try to do a little more reading and responding. I woke up early and read your Photo Wants to Be a Poem blog. Your morning voice about the dragonfly lulled me into a peaceful state. I even wrote a poem but did not add it because I was in transit to another doctor visit. PF’s poem is a shout out to a monster truck that did not consider the environment nor drivers. I agree with everyone that your blending of two observations into one voice is noteworthy. Love the opening lines, “You! with your hot wheels
rumbling down the road.” I hope the rest of your day is peaceful.