A poem, or line of poetry, that I return to: I am a generally sloppy and frustrated baker, but every time I try, I find myself repeating—as a sort of incantation—the vivid, compact, flawless opening lines from “i am not done yet,” by Lucille Clifton: “as possible as yeast / as imminent as bread.” It’s a poem about becoming, about the endless act of inching closer to who we are meant to be. It says, We are never finished. It says, Maybe today is the day you wait long enough for your dough to rise.
— Ellen Cushing, from “The Culture Survey: Ellen Cushing” in The Atlantic, August 20, 2023
“i am not done yet”
as possible as yeast
as imminent as bread
a collection of safe habits
a collection of cares
less certain than i seem
more certain than i was
a changed changer
i continue to continue
what i have been
most of my lives is
where i’m going
— Lucille Clifton, published in Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir 1969-1980
I like this a lot!
So glad!
Good!
I love these lines -so hopeful and inspirational
Best wakeup call if there ever was one.
Needed this. Thank you.
Haven’t been asleep for hours now, but I like this. So full of promise. Hope I can remember it after my eyes open for the day.
So glad!
A lovely poem to wake up to … and as a companion in life.
sure is….
I needed (kneaded?) This. Thankbyou.
Ha! Very good!
Wonderful
this is very good
“i am not done yet”…and feel really good about having no plans…like dogs and children….
Right!
I’ve been struggling with dissertation writing, and this feels hopeful. Thank you 🙂
So glad!
Love it 😍
Me too! Thanks!
How does one send a personal message, through WordPress? I came across an article that I wanted to send you, I think you’d find it fascinating. Can’t figure out the tech, though… lol
Hi Laila. Thanks for thinking of me. There is no way to do it. Please send to my email address: Davidkanigan@gmail.com. thanks.
Oh, got it! Sent.
Love this!
Thank you!
Oh, such possibilities…in shaping of one’s experiences…rise and fall…