“Good Bones” by Maggie Smith

On By Christina's WordsIn Art, Poetry
Life is short, though I keep this from my children.
Life is short, and I’ve shortened mine
in a thousand delicious, ill-advised ways,
a thousand deliciously ill-advised ways
I’ll keep from my children. The world is at least
fifty percent terrible, and that’s a conservative
estimate, though I keep this from my children.
For every bird there is a stone thrown at a bird.
For every loved child, a child broken, bagged,
sunk in a lake. Life is short and the world
is at least half terrible, and for every kind
stranger, there is one who would break you,
though I keep this from my children. I am trying
to sell them the world. Any decent realtor,
walking you through a real shithole, chirps on
about good bones: This place could be beautiful,
right? You could make this place beautiful.

 

“Good Bones” by Maggie Smith (Website, Twitter, Books). “Good Bones” first appeared in Waxwing IX (Summer 2016) and is contained in Maggie Smith’s forthcoming book, Weep Up, Tupelo Press, 2018.

 

***

 

I rarely offer commentary, but this poem … yeah … this poem. I think it sums up so many of our lives, dear readers, don’t you? We are each trying to make this place beautiful though “the darkness around us is deep.” So I was beyond thrilled when multi-award winning poet Maggie Smith offered her blessing for me to share her poem with you all.

 

If you love “Good Bones” as much as I do, but can’t wait until 2018 to purchase Weep Up, check out this beautiful broadside print by designer Josef Beery:
"Good Bones" by Maggie Smith. Designed by Josef Beery. Click photo or HERE to purchase.
“Good Bones” by Maggie Smith. Designed by Josef Beery. Click photo or HERE to purchase. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Orlando Youth Alliance, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a safe space for GLBTQ youth in Central Florida.
“This place could be beautiful, / right? You could make this place beautiful.”

Thank you again, Maggie. You and your poetry make this place beautiful indeed.

 

13 thoughts on ““Good Bones” by Maggie Smith”

    1. JoHanna, hi! I’m so glad you commented. And is that a lady bug? I love lady bugs…I just saw one this morning as I was walking the dogs.
      So glad you enjoyed, and so glad Maggie said yes. I even broke out the “pretty please” in my request. 🙂 🌻

      Liked by 1 person

      1. “The world is at least
        fifty percent terrible, and that’s a conservative
        estimate, though I keep this from my children.”- my most favorite part where unknowingly I smiled and read on. Yes, one of my favorites too this year.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I think most people in the world are basically good. But when you look at the weight of terrible, then I think you have maybe ten percent, twenty?, of people in the world doing well over fifty percent of the terrible things…maybe eighty percent. That good old 80/20 rule. 🙂
        ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  6. I can’t believe I haven’t been over here to comment.
    THIS…so much THIS!! I’m saving and sending to my mama’s who keep that other 50% from their kiddos, too.
    And well… you know how I feel about the word ‘bones’
    Great selection ❤

    Like

Comments are closed.