Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Books


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

American Life in Poetry

Steve Orlen's "Three Teenage Girls: 1956"

I've mentioned how important close observation is in composing a vivid poem. In this scene by Arizona poet Steve Orlen, the details not...

I've mentioned how important close observation is in composing a vivid poem. In this scene by Arizona poet Steve Orlen, the details not only help us to see the girls clearly, but the last detail is loaded with suggestion. The poem closes with the car door shutting, and we readers are shut out of what will happen, though we can guess.

TED KOOSER, U.S. Poet Laureate

Three teenage girls in tight red sleeveless blouses and black Capri pants

And colorful headscarves secured in a knot to their chins

Are walking down the hill, chatting, laughing,

Cupping their cigarettes against the light rain,

The closest to the road with her left thumb stuck out

Not looking at the cars going past.

Every Friday night to the dance, and wet or dry

They get where they're going, walk two miles or get a ride,

And now the two-door 1950 Dodge, dark green

advertising

Darkening as evening falls, stops, they nudge

Each other, peer in, shrug, two scramble into the back seat,

And the third, the boldest, famous

For twice running away from home, slides in front with the man

Who reaches across her body and pulls the door shut.

Steve Orlen

American Life in Poetry is made possible by The Poetry Foundation (www.poetryfoundation.org), publisher of Poetry magazine. It is also supported by the Department of English at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Poem copyright 2006 by Steve Orlen. Reprinted from "The Elephant's Child: New & Selected Poems 1978-2005" by Steve Orlen (Ausable Press, 2006), by permission of the author and publisher. Introduction copyright 2008 by The Poetry Foundation. The introduction's author, Ted Kooser, served as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 2004 to 2006. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. "American Life in Poetry" appears Tuesdays in Northwest Life.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

Local books | A new Jance thriller, Starbucks' corporate history and an orphan's tale

Lit Life: National recognition for Seattle's readergirlz online book community

The Ultimate Holiday Cookbook Social at Palace Ballroom

Journalist and author Amy Goodman in Seattle

Book review: "Molly Ivins: A Rebel Life:" Fearless, funny and opinionated

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising