Poetry: “Be” by Sarah Isbell
“Be” by Sarah Isbell is a notable for its mastery of the often forgotten art of rhyme scheme in poetry. Their lyricism is both innovative and pensive. Balancing craft with a deeply personal reflection on the “many things” humans ponder both big — “Will the internet be around / when the robots tear things down?” and small— “Does whipped cream ever eat a cherry?” What’s fascinating about Sarah Isbell’s work is that their questions address the ineffable anxieties many have of the world and the things that rush outside of their control. Isbell takes a leap and does something terrifying and spectacular: they invert an understanding of reality before relinquishing control and finding peace in the present moment.
Enjoy their poem below.
Be
Like birds that fly without their wings
One babe born poor, and one to kings
The meaning of love, and what it brings
Oh, I have pondered many things.
Like ants that eat an anteater
And why am I so insecure
Do fish all have their favorite lure
Or ever need a manicure?
Oh, I have pondered many things.
The zebra’s stripes, I think about
Are they inside in or inside out?
Is black a color, and white without?
And must I take the roundabout?
And if I do, will it let me out?
Oh, I have pondered many things.
Does whipped cream ever eat a cherry?
Or is this thought incendiary?
Perhaps it will soon be legendary
To those who are more literary.
Is every moment, momentary?
Oh, I have pondered many things.
At times I think I think too much
Is reality real, or just a crutch?
Can a stick shift drive without a clutch?
Do flights of fancy, fancy such?
Must writing have a personal touch?
Oh, I have pondered many things.
And when I wish upon a star
Does grammar matter who I are?
If I was smart, would I go far?
Is whiskey better from a jar?
Do feathers always come with tar?
Oh, I have pondered many things.
Will the internet still be around
When robots tear the whole thing down?
Or just the ones who wear the crowns?
Is knowledge just a hand-me-down?
Oh, I have pondered many things.
Yes, I have pondered many thoughts
Are words okay? They’re all I’ve brought
This tempest, tea, and work I’ve wrought
Oh, how I long to be a cosmonaut
To catch the dreams that I have sought
And lessons learned that I have taught
For in the present, I have naught.
And yet I ponder many things.
The more I lose, the more I cling
To poetry and thoughtful things
Of value none, except to me
These tortured thoughts that torture me
Oh, I have pondered many things
Like why I end this poem with be
Sarah Isbell
Sarah "Beth" Isbell is a transgender poet living in Northern California. Author of four poetry books and a children's book about snot! (The Book of Green Goo).
