This is Episode 20 of Poems to Live Well By.

Today's poem is "Toward the Solstice", by Adrienne Rich.

Adrienne Rich was an American poet, essayist and feminist, who has been described as “one of the most widely influential writers of the second half of the 20th century”.

This poem “Toward the Solstice”, takes as its starting point two dates: the end of November and the end of May, as the world turns towards the solstice — the point when the sun reaches its peak or nadir, marking the year’s midpoint and the beginning of the slow turn of the seasons.

One line jumps out: “I am trying to hold in one steady glance all the parts of my life”. 

This is a challenge that faces all of us. All the different roles we play in a lifetime. Multiple roles and responsibilities and identities we try to hold simultaneously, identities that are often not only different but actively in opposition within one another.

The poem's words and lines flow together with a perfect rhythm, even as they describe the unavoidable imperfectness of a life.

You can read the poem here.

Music Credit:

Once Upon a Time by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/