It’s like a tap-dance
or a new pink dress,
a shit- naive feeling
Saying Yes.
Some say Good morning
Some say God bless–
Some say Possibly
Some say Yes.
Some say Never
Some say Unless
It’s stupid and lovely
To rush into Yes.
What can it mean?
It’s just like life,
One thing to you
One to your wife.
Some go local
Some go express
Some can’t wait
To answer Yes.
Some complain
Of strain and stress
The answer may be
No for Yes.
Some like failure
Some like Success
Some like Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes.
Open your eyes,
Dream but don’t guess.
Your biggest surprise
Comes after Yes.
– Muriel Rukeyser
Postscript:
A seemingly simple poem on the surface, which rewards slowing down and re-reading.
We’ve run other poems by Muriel Rukeyser on this site here and here.
Yes
It’s like a tap-dance
or a new pink dress,
a shit- naive feeling
Saying Yes.
Some say Good morning
Some say God bless–
Some say Possibly
Some say Yes.
Some say Never
Some say Unless
It’s stupid and lovely
To rush into Yes.
What can it mean?
It’s just like life,
One thing to you
One to your wife.
Some go local
Some go express
Some can’t wait
To answer Yes.
Some complain
Of strain and stress
The answer may be
No for Yes.
Some like failure
Some like Success
Some like Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes.
Open your eyes,
Dream but don’t guess.
Your biggest surprise
Comes after Yes.
– Muriel Rukeyser
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Tagged: advice, dimeter, Muriel Rukeyser, rhyme, rhythm, social commentary