SELF-PORTRAIT WITH W
by Robert Okaji
One might claim a double victory, or after the Roman Empire’s fall, a reclamation from the slurred “b” and its subsequent reduction.
Survival of the rarely heard, of the occipital’s impulse.
The oak’s crook performs a similar function.
Shielding myself from its entreaties, I contemplate the second family
root, weighted in weapons, in Woden, in wood.
Not rejection, but acceptance in avoidance.
The Japanese homophone, daburu, bears a negative connotation.
Original language was thought to be based on a natural
relation between objects and things.
Baudelaire’s alphabet existed without “W,” as does the Italian.
The recovery of lost perfection is no longer our aim.
When following another, I often remain silent.
As in two, as in answer, as in reluctance, reticence.
I share two halves: one light, one shadowed, but both of water.
Overlapped or barely touching, still we complete.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR ON HIS CREATIVE PROCESS: One word, followed by another. Revise. Rest. Read.
IMAGE: Handpainted manuscript initial letter “W” decorated with thistles by Clare McCrory, available at etsy.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert Okaji’s work has appeared in Boston Review, Otoliths, Prime Number Magazine, Clade Song, and Vayavya, among others. He lives in Texas with his wife and two dogs. Visit him at robertokaji.com.
[…] https://silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/self-portrait-with-w-poem-by-robert-okaji-self-port… […]
Simply, marvelous.
Thank you, Kathryn. I’m so pleased you like it.
Very nice self-portrait!!
Thank you!
Beautiful!
Thank you.
wonderful!
Thanks very much.
Very interesting poem. Nice work.
Thank you.
Beautiful poem, Robert . . . I especially identified with the line “I share two halves: one light, one shadowed, but both of water.’ I will return to read more of your great poetry . . . Omedetogozaimasu . . .
Thank you Peter. I’m grateful for your comments.
A poem worthy of a place in the firmament, just like Cassiopoeia (sic?)! Thanks for liking my poem, and sorry I didn’t take the time to thank you earlier.
I enjoy your writing, Stew, and for your generous comments.
Thanks for following my blog Robert. This is a beautiful poem, I look forward to reading others.
Thank you!
Hi I love it!
Thanks very much.
Reblogged this on americanpoetics and commented:
Gorgeous work here by Robert Okaji.
Thanks for reblogging!
Certainly. I love how you read the subtle analytics of language so movingly
It quietly and viscerally connects for me at my gut. Interesting. I will sit with it. Thank you, Robert.
I’m so pleased it connects!
[…] with W” originally appeared in the Silver Birch Press Self-Portrait series, and was reprinted in my chapbook, The Circumference of Other, included in Ides, a […]