'Poetry . . . For an intolerable hunger'

“If there were no poetry on any day in the world, poetry would be invented that day. For there would be an intolerable hunger.” - Muriel Rukeyser

 

For Saturday’s poem, here is Rukeyser’s, 

 

 

Myth

 

Long afterward, Oedipus, old and blinded, walked the
roads. He smelled a familiar smell. It was
the Sphinx. Oedipus said, 'I want to ask one question.
Why didn't I recognize my mother?' 'You gave the
wrong answer,' said the Sphinx. 'But that was what
made everything possible,' said Oedipus. 'No,' she said.
'When I asked, What walks on four legs in the morning,
two at noon, and three in the evening, you answered,
Man. You didn't say anything about woman.'
'When you say Man,' said Oedipus, 'you include women
too. Everyone knows that.' She said, 'That's what
you think.

 

 

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