"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention."
--Sir Francis Bacon, "Of Studies"



Please click "comment" at the bottom of the poems and write a comment (at least three sentences). Be sure to be very specific and detailed in your comments. Above all, do not be vague. In order to avoid vagueness, it would be best to include a short quote in your comment, in order to make your comment as clear as possible. (By the way, a comment could be in the form of a specific question.)

Thanks.

Mr. Salsich


THE HAND


 
by Mary Ruefle 

The teacher asks a question.
You know the answer, you suspect
you are the only one in the classroom 
who knows the answer, because the person
in question is yourself, and on that 
you are the greatest living authority,
but you don’t raise your hand.
You raise the top of your desk
and take out an apple.
You look out the window.
You don’t raise your hand and there is
some essential beauty in your fingers,
which aren’t even drumming, but lie 
flat and peaceful.
The teacher repeats the question. 
Outside the window, on an overhanging branch,
a robin is ruffling its feathers
and spring is in the air.

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