Poem by William Carlos Williams

I haven't been keeping up with my regular poetry reading (apologies - I forgot! Too busy!). But here is one of my favourite poems, by William Carlos Williams

Philomena Andronico

With the boys busy
at ball
in the worn lot
nearby

She stands in
the short street
reflectively bouncing
the red ball

Slowly
practicied
a little awkwardly
throwing one leg over

(Not as she had done
formerly
screaming and
missing

But slowly
surely) then
pausing throws
the ball

With a full slow
very slow
and easy motion
following through

With a slow
half turn -
as the ball flies
and rolls gently

At the child's feet
waiting -
and yet he misses
it and turns

And runs while she
slowly
regains her former
pose

Then shoves her fingers
up through
her loose short hair
quickly

Draws one stocking
tight and
waiting
tilts

Her hips and
in the warm still
air lets
her arm
Fall

Fall
loosely
(waiting)
at her sides




This is such a simple scene, described simply (and very skillfully), but a whole life is portrayed in it. It is very sensual, too. I wish I knew that woman. She is a mother, but still a woman, and an active being, strong and supple, careless of her appearance, but attractive because of that.