IT'S ABOUT TIME
Barry Wallenstein's poetry, from his first book in 1977 to now, addresses his awareness of time's swift passing. The poems continue this time-honored theme and its attendant thoughts and emotions. Now in his eighth decade this theme is paramount. While time is explicitly central in the first and eighth sections, other sections speak of desire, music, current events, creatures of all sizes and states of mind. Poems in each of the groups reflect the anxieties of our current period including references to the ongoing pandemic and quarantine, as well as overriding reflections on temporality. These poems also are full of appreciation and gratitude for life's bounty. While avoiding the personal or autobiographical, Wallenstein's emotional life is more apparent here than in his work of the past.
DAWDLING PAST CURFEW
Surely it was an error or a lucky punch
that let me slip through
and continue in this living room,
the best room on the planet,
when the others have left,
some few, years ago
some others, just lately.
They no longer know I’m here
in the room, or maybe,
possessed by magic,
some do know
and think my way,
feel into the corners
of this large room.
It cools a little
every time someone leaves.
All the coats, hats, scarves,
neatly hung in the closet,
are bored on their hangers,
devoid of utility.
So, I stick around
and envision my needs,
palpate my hunger,
photograph all I can,
find the music
that keeps me listening
and in touch with the players.
Out this plate glass window
beauties pass by,
a phoebe, a falling feather,
a postal worker with parcels;
boys and girls who vibrate
on the verdant lawn.
The past tense makes no sense.