Happy As The Day Is Long Poem by James Tate

Happy As The Day Is Long

Rating: 3.2


I take the long walk up the staircase to my secret room.
Today's big news: they found Amelia Earhart's shoe, size 9.
1992: Charlie Christian is bebopping at Minton's in 1941.
Today, the Presidential primaries have failed us once again.
We'll look for our excitement elsewhere, in the last snow
that is falling, in tomorrow's Gospel Concert in Springfield.
It's a good day to be a cat and just sleep.
Or to read the Confessions of Saint Augustine.
Jesus called the sons of Zebedee the Sons of Thunder.
In my secret room, plans are hatched: we'll explore the Smoky Mountains.
Then we'll walk along a beach: Hallelujah!
(A letter was just delivered by Overnight Express--
it contained nothing of importance, I slept through it.)
(I guess I'm trying to be "above the fray.")
The Russians, I know, have developed a language called "Lincos"
designed for communicating with the inhabitants of other worlds.
That's been a waste of time, not even a postcard.
But then again, there are tree-climbing fish, called anabases.
They climb the trees out of stupidity, or so it is said.
Who am I to judge? I want to break out of here.
A bee is not strong in geometry: it cannot tell
a square from a triangle or a circle.
The locker room of my skull is full of panting egrets.
I'm saying that strictly for effect.
In time I will heal, I know this, or I believe this.
The contents and furnishings of my secret room will be labeled
and organized so thoroughly it will be a little frightening.
What I thought was infinite will turn out to be just a couple
of odds and ends, a tiny miscellany, miniature stuff, fragments
of novelties, of no great moment. But it will also be enough,
maybe even more than enough, to suggest an immense ritual and tradition.
And this makes me very happy.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ramesh Rai 24 May 2015

An expressive write. Thanks for sharing.

1 3 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 24 June 2017

What I thought was infinite will turn out to be just a couple of odds and ends, a tiny miscellany, miniature stuff, fragments of novelties, of no great moment. Beautiful poem. Thanks for the sharing.10 for it.

0 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 24 June 2017

Way of penning is interesting. Beautifully painted. Thanks for sharing and congratulation for the poem of the day.

1 0 Reply
Anil Kumar Panda 24 June 2017

Interesting poem. Feel very nice while reading. Wordplay is simply amazing.10+++

1 0 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 24 June 2017

The long walk! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

1 2 Reply
Sriram Chintalacheruvu 21 November 2015

i felt very happy by reading this poem

1 3 Reply
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James Tate

James Tate

Kansas City, Missouri
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