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| From "The Sky is Everywhere book trailer," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q687NX-0kE |
where the chairs
have forgotten how to hold us
the mirrors how to reflect us
the walls how to contain us
Grief is a house that disappears
each time someone knocks at the door
or rings the bell
a house that blows into the air
at the slightest gust
that buries itself deep in the ground
while everyone is sleeping
Grief is a house where no one can protect you
where the younger sister
will grow older than the older one
where the doors
no longer let you in
or out (73)
The poetry throughout The Sky is Everywhere is a good example of why I loved this book. It made me think of Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon, which I read recently as well. Both books had the characters' dealing with tremendous difficulties and experiencing new love. Also, in both books. the female protagonist wrote poetry. The poems and plot in The Sky is Everywhere connected with me in a way that was authentic, whereas the poems and plot in Freak Magnet left me indifferent. I understand the characters are dealing with different issues and perhaps Auseon meant for Gloria's writing to be typical cringeworthy adolescent emo poetry, but it made me want to skip passages of the book. It took away from the characters' real struggles, because I didn't see Gloria as a girl who would write such terrible poetry.
Not a very coherent or thorough critique, but this poem from Nelson's book reminded me of a time when I felt so bogged down by loss. It brought me back to that time, reminded me how far I've come, and also captured what can never change. There is always grief.
