We Are Surprised Poem by Ada Limón

We Are Surprised

Rating: 4.4


Now, we take the moon
into the middle of our brains
so we look like roadside stray cats
with bright flashlight-white eyes
in our faces, but no real ideas
of when or where to run.
We linger on the field's green edge
and say, Someday son, none of this
will be yours. Miracles are all around.
We're not so much homeless
as we are home free, penny-poor,
but plenty lucky for love and leaves
that keep breaking the fall. Here it is:
the new way of living with the world
inside of us so we cannot lose it,
and we cannot be lost. You and me,
are us and them, and it and sky.
It's hard to believe we didn't
know that before; it's hard to believe
we were so hollowed out, so drained,
only so we could shine a little harder
when the light finally came.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Edward Kofi Louis 08 June 2016

We were so hollowed out! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

3 0 Reply
Khaled Ehtesham 08 June 2016

you sense about life and surrounding are awesome.............

3 0 Reply
Subhas Chandra Chakra 08 June 2016

We're not so much homeless as we are home free, penny-poor, but plenty lucky for love and leaves that keep breaking the fall. Here it is: the new way of living with the world inside of us so we cannot lose it, and we cannot be lost. You and me, are us and them, and it and sky. Your words and the poetic sense is classy...loved the poem.10 for it. Thanks for sharing it. Subhas

2 0 Reply
Jasbir Chatterjee 08 June 2016

Indeed, best way to live is to find the strength from within. Congrats on being poet of the day!

2 0 Reply
Seema Sharma Rimi 08 June 2016

It's hard to believe we didn't know that before; it's hard to believe we were so hollowed out, so drained, only so we could shine a little harder when the light finally came. Nice poem with deep thoughts.

1 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 12 December 2022

Insightful and thought provoking

0 0 Reply

Hello Ada I read We Are Surprised i loved. The poems words and flow. Nice write Val Brooklyn Rogers

0 0 Reply
ROBERT Eshelby 29 November 2022

I loved the car's eye imagery and the optimism of the leaves which break our fall when we are desperate.

0 0 Reply
KZiebron 12 July 2022

Essential and illuminating

0 0 Reply
Susan Williams 08 June 2016

Stunningly poetically beautiful examination of our mistreated world. This poem is executed perfectly. Most definitely a 10+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++.

1 0 Reply
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Ada Limón

Ada Limón

Sonoma, California
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