Share this poem:
Grace Paley
Here
Poem by Grace Paley
Here I am in the garden laughing
an old woman with heavy breasts
and a nicely mapped face
how did this happen
well that's who I wanted to be
at last a woman
in the old style sitting
stout thighs apart under
a big skirt grandchild sliding
on off my lap a pleasant
summer perspiration
that's my old man across the yard
he's talking to the meter reader
he's telling him the world's sad story
how electricity is oil or uranium
and so forth I tell my grandson
run over to your grandpa ask him
to sit beside me for a minute I
am suddenly exhausted by my desire
to kiss his sweet explaining lips.
Read this poem in other languages
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem »
Read poems about / on: woman, kiss, sad, summer, world, women, running
Grace Paley's Other Poems
Famous Poems
- Phenomenal WomanMaya Angelou
- Still I RiseMaya Angelou
- The Road Not TakenRobert Frost
- If You Forget MePablo Neruda
- DreamsLangston Hughes
- Annabel LeeEdgar Allan Poe
- Caged BirdMaya Angelou
- IfRudyard Kipling
- Stopping By Woods On A Snowy EveningRobert Frost
- TelevisionRoald Dahl
Who wouldn't want to be Grace Paley?
An old woman able to look back at a full life of activism: laying down on fifth avenue in NY to block a military parade during a war, climbing fences to protest weapons of mass destruction, being investigated by the FBI and labelled a " communist" .(Report)Reply
Absolutely love this unexpected piece of sheer unadulterated joy-in-life poetry! It makes me want to meet the wonderful woman in this poem! ! ! I have to treasure this!(Report)Reply
There's a documentary about her here: http: //.gracepaleyvideo/
Feelings are personal; Intimate and genuine; Thoughts are natural, fresh and candid; Meaning is profound and touching; Picture painted with all that is simply superb. Congrats for being the POD. X(Report)Reply
Identity! ! That's who i wanted to be. Thanks for sharing.(Report)Reply
Silly me. I'm in tears. What a perfectly formed piece of writing. I could see this picture so clearly and wanted to step in and smile. This is how poetry should be. Uncontrived, honest, beautifully put, welcoming, intimate and with a twist at the end to gather a smile.(Report)Reply
Here is a beautiful poem of love and it is so interesting.The old age the beauty of life all is nice.(Report)Reply
This is the love sitting on the old and bulky branch cooing and oozing love so nice(Report)Reply
Very sweet
How time has passed
Reflecting(Report)Reply
Very sweet
How time has passed
Reflecting(Report)Reply
Very sweet
How time has passed
Reflecting(Report)Reply
Here I am now
looking forward
to retirement
after reading
this poem.(Report)Reply
Just perfect......this sets the scene in my minds eye of my past and future in equal measures.....wonderful...(Report)Reply