Thanks to Carol Wilcox who is hosting this Poetry Friday, at her blog, Carol's Corner. Carol is introducing us to a new poet! Don't miss the poems!
Jigsaw Puzzle
by Russell Hoban
My beautiful picture of pirates and treasure
is spoiled, and almost I don't want to start
to put it together; I've lost all the pleasure
I used to find in it: there's one missing part.
I know there's one missing -- they lost it, the others,
the last time they played with my puzzle -- and maybe
there's more than one missing: along with the brothers
and sisters who borrow my toys there's the baby.
There's a hole in the ship or the sea that it sails on,
and I said to my father, "Well, what shall I do?
It isn't the same now that some of it's gone."
He said, "Put it together; the world's like that too."
19 comments:
Love the ending of Hoban's poem,
"Put it together; the world's like that too." How true, we just have to keep on patching pieces together, and hopefully make it a little better. puzzle pic is wonderful, thanks Linda!
Great advice here! The world really is like that! Even if it is a little disconcerting! I love this!
What a great poem! I need to share this one with my students. Thank you.
That does have a powerful message, Linda. I'm going to have to remember this poem. It is a good attitude about puzzles and the world. What would we be if we all stopped putting together our corners because there are holes?
Wonderful poem!! And yes, so true. That last line really says it all.
OH, I love the ending. The world IS like that!
I wasn't expecting this to be profound, just enjoying the way it rollicks along like he does in the Frances books, and then suddenly, BOOM!
I love how the ending is such a surprise as we follow this story along. Yep, the world is like that and we keep putting it back together anyway. Love it!
I was not ready for that ending! I felt the author's disappointment in the missing piece and how easy it is to blame others for it (as well as short-comings and problems) as we often do. Love the father's advice. Thanks for sharing - and I love the ferris wheel puzzle! Carol at The Apples in My Orchard.
Thanks very much for coming by, everyone. I'm so glad you liked the poem and that surprise at the end!
Oh what an ending! And so very wise. The world is indeed like that.
There is so much truth in that last line! Thank you for sharing it with us, Linda.
Thanks, Sally & Catherine. It is a truth there at the end!
Oof! I was admiring his enjambment and rhyme, and that ending took me totally by surprise!
Linda, the poem you chose for us to read ends with a bit of wisdom. Thanks for sharing this one. It reminds me of the simple puzzle I bought for my little Sierra. I have been very careful putting back her pieces but a couple have fallen and landed so I am not sure all are back in the box. I know what I can tell her if her puzzle is missing some pieces.
Yes, a surprise when I first read it, too! Thanks, Mary Lee
Thanks, Carol, how fun to think of using this 'lesson' with your granddaughter!
Russell Hoban is a favorite of my and I know just how he feels in this poem. I feel the same way when I discover a missing puzzle piece, but do it anyway. And I love your picture of the Wonder Wheel, a ride I haven't been on since I was a teenage. The swinging cars were the best, and the view of NYC at the top was breathtaking. Thanks for sharing both of these.
I'm happy you recognize the puzzle, one we did a long time ago. I've never been there and love that you have, Alex. I agree, Hoban gets it exactly right! Thanks!
I'm linking to this in my NPM post today! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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