“Breathe-in
experience, breathe-out poetry.” – Muriel Rukeyser
American poet and political activist
Rukeyser is best known for her poems about equality, feminism and social
justice, and was active in progressive politics throughout her life. Born on Dec. 15, 1914, she spent her whole
life in New York City (she died in 1980). 
Winner of numerous awards and prizes
she once noted, "The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms." 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.'
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.'
Share A Writer’s Moment with a friend by clicking the g+1 button below.
No comments:
Post a Comment