In Lieu of a Photograph

“. . . she curved to her task with deft, balletic grace.”

Sarah Russell

I wish I knew the full name of this poet.  I found this poem several years ago in one of the monthly Goodreads contests, with the name “Jordan” as the author.  Every time I read it, I fall in love with the images all over again.  If anyone knows more about this person, please let me know.  Google has been no help at all.

 

I am no good at photography.

I lack the necessary subtlety–I am too literal.
I shove the lens right into the center of my subject,
Like a punch to the gut,
Causing the context to crumple around it.

But I sat once at close of day, looking up at a bridge where
Women, silhouetted against the setting sun, made their graceful ways home carrying
Great buckets and baignoires on their heads.

You will have to imagine, I’m afraid, the way their dark bodies were made darker in relief
And the herd-like elegance–not of mindless association,
But natural interconnectedness–of their movement.

A familiar noise made the baby look up from the mat where we were playing.

I followed his gaze to find my sister framed in the doorway, the sheer curtain fluttering between us.
She was folded over a calabash bowl of rice
Making the starch-laden rinse water cascade across her caramel-colored arm,
Which she curved to her task with deft, balletic grace.

There are some–employed by National Geographic, no doubt–
Who could have captured the beauty of this moment–
The way the early Fall light made everything jewel-bright–
With a single “click” of a camera shutter.

But I am no good at photography.

– Jordan

12 thoughts on “In Lieu of a Photograph”

    1. I have not been to that site, Will. And yes, the writing does look similar. I can’t find any contact information other than Grand Rapids, Michigan on the site and the blog hasn’t been active since 2006. But I’ll sleuth a little and see what I can find out. Thanks!

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    2. I did some investigation, and there is a lyricist and lead singer with the band La Dispute named Jordan Dreyer. I’ll try to contact him. Thanks so much for the lead. We may be way off, but this sounds promising. He certainly would be someone who would write good poetry. Stay tuned.

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