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A review by pattydsf
Ordinary Light: A Memoir by Tracy K. Smith
3.0
“Wasn’t it strange that a poem, written in my vocabulary and as a result of my own thoughts or observations, could, when it was finished, manage to show me something I hadn’t already known? Sometimes, when I tried very hard to listen to what the poem I was writing was trying to tell me, I felt the way I imagined godly people felt when they were trying to discern God’s will. “Write this,” the poem would sometimes consent to say, and I’d revel in a joy to rival the saints’ that Poetry—this mysterious presence I talked about and professed belief in—might truly be real.”
Apparently, I have high expectations about how writers, or maybe just poets, live. Even though Smith uses the word ordinary in her title, I was expecting something different than this memoir. Fortunately, Smith had what might be referred to as a common life. She grew up the last child in a loving family. Her mother was able to devote time to her and her siblings and her father did the same. The Smith family believed in books and education; they were supportive and a positive influence in each other’s’ lives.
I think I expected that Smith’s story would be more about her writing – how she became a poet. Smith however, had a different idea. She told her story by beginning with her mother’s death. Then she went back to show what her family was like and especially what her mother was like. Once I changed my expectation, the story fell together. I was better able to understand what Smith was sharing with her readers.
Apparently, I have high expectations about how writers, or maybe just poets, live. Even though Smith uses the word ordinary in her title, I was expecting something different than this memoir. Fortunately, Smith had what might be referred to as a common life. She grew up the last child in a loving family. Her mother was able to devote time to her and her siblings and her father did the same. The Smith family believed in books and education; they were supportive and a positive influence in each other’s’ lives.
I think I expected that Smith’s story would be more about her writing – how she became a poet. Smith however, had a different idea. She told her story by beginning with her mother’s death. Then she went back to show what her family was like and especially what her mother was like. Once I changed my expectation, the story fell together. I was better able to understand what Smith was sharing with her readers.