Averno, by Louise Glück

1.

You die when your spirit dies.
Otherwise, you live.
You may not do a good job of it, but you go on —
something you have no choice about.

When I tell this to my children
they pay no attention.
The old people, they think —
this is what they always do:
talk about things no one can see
to cover up all the brain cells they’re losing.
They wink at each other;
listen to the old one, talking about the spirit
because he can’t remember anymore the word for chair.

It is terrible to be alone.
I don’t mean to live alone —
to be alone, where no one hears you.

I remember the word for chair.
I want to say — I’m just not interested anymore.

I wake up thinking
you have to prepare.
Soon the spirit will give up —
all the chairs in the world won’t help you.

Go here for the rest:

https://thefloatinglibrary.com/2009/10/03/averno-louise-gluck/

There once was a man from Nantucket
Who carried his balls in a bucket
When asked by Louise
To name his disease
He scratched his bare balls and said Fück it.

I’m losing’ it. Coulda sworn I left another poem and a link to a short bio here yesterday morning. Must not have clicked “post message”.

I think you did, Human, and it disappeared. As did a post by me thanking you for posting this and introducing me to a very good poet whom I didn't know. So thanks ;-*)

Orphée et Euridice is one of my all-time favorites, a gem stuck between Mozart and Wagner who I think is in some way superior to both.

Thank you for that!

I appreciate this post a few days ago, although I did not comment. Thank you.

My educational background is in literature and I understood the post with respect to an American recognized by the Nobel committee. Brought a smile to my face and it was greatly appreciated that you provided example of her work.

Thank you :)

You’re welcome Soft Machine and TX_Rancger. And thank you.

Along with a bio I had posted another poem of Glück’s that was rather dark. Maybe it was too much and was removed.

And thanks for the music, anybody.