The Rose

A LETTER TO YOU, THE READER, SO THAT YOU CAN FINALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT I’M THINKING.

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THIS MONTH: Putting Out Fires

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Dear Readers,

Did you know that this month is national poetry month? Thus, I think it’s highly appropriate to open with a poem, one that is relevant to this month’s topic and one I thoroughly enjoy. I give you “The Great Figure” by William Carlos Williams. Enjoy.

The Great Figure

by William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)
Sour Grapes: A Book of Poems
Four Seas Company, Boston, 1921

Among the rain

and lights

I saw the figure 5

in gold

on a red

fire truck

moving

tense

unheeded

to gong clangs

siren howls

and wheels rumbling

through the dark city

Now, down to business. This month, among the rain and lights (for it has rained quite a bit this month), I have attempted to be the figure 5 in this poem, screaming and unheeded, wheels rumbling through the last dark days of my associate’s degree. Have I succeeded? Well, I guess it depends on what you call success. But, I think I can say that, having finished just today, I feel at least mediocrely victorious. Perhaps I lost a major battle or two along the way, but in the end, I think I passed. And, that’s what counts.

I want to compare my experience with school to someone trying to put out a blazing fire, because I certainly have felt this way this month. I commented to a friend over the phone that it just seemed like I had to run around and put out fires the first week in April, and I really don’t think that fire-putting out has really stopped all month. I think the only way I got through it was by putting out one fire at a time. Sure, some things were burning while I was at it, like time, but, as I said, in the end, the fire got put out. I don’t know whether to be relieved or what, but I don’t think it’s hit me yet. Once I get my grades next month, I think I will feel much better about exactly how I did putting out those fires or having the fire out. And, I’m admit, I’m a bit impatient to find out; however, I can see the light.

I don’t think there’s much left to say about this month, since my main dedication was to school, so I think I will leave it there. If anyone still has finals, I wish you the best. I can’t wait to see everybody when they get home! Let summer begin, eh? 🙂

Happy National Poetry Month to you! Thanks for reading! 🙂

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Sincerely, Your Author,

Jessica Anne McLean