But

On January 1, 2013, I resolved not to cuss so much
but hell, that one went to shitsville before noon. I resolved
to not be so fussy when it comes to fiction but then
Louise Erdrich uses a phrase like ‘small-time hypocrites’
and I vowed once more that I shall keep my eyes from
worthless prose. I resolved to not coddle my kids so much
but then I remembered the ashen parents of Sandy Hook
who I betcha would plead with me to go on and coddle
like there’s no tomorrow. I resolved to wear fancier blue jeans,
maybe a pair with curly stitching on the back pockets to
draw your gaze to my rear, but then I slipped on my old
faded Levis and was sore ashamed at such adulterous
thoughts. And last but not least on the very first day of
such an august new year I resolved to not try to be optimistic,
pessimistic, or realistic; but I will gladly exclaim I did
rededicate my days to the dogged pursuit of tenderness.

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12 Comments

  1. Teresa Evangeline on January 2, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    We should all rededicate our days to “the dogged pursuit of tenderness.” Lovely poem.

  2. consolationofmirth on January 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Nothin’ wrong with cussing in your Levi’s.

  3. Sarah Bessey (@sarahbessey) on January 2, 2013 at 5:11 pm

    Amen.

  4. pastordt on January 2, 2013 at 10:10 pm

    Love this. And tenderness is the very best resolution I can think of. Good to let all those others just slide away.

  5. […] Blase puts his hand to them, too, although it’s not quite what you’d expect. In “But,” he […]

  6. Megan Willome on January 3, 2013 at 10:46 pm

    I love “dogged pursuit of tenderness.”

  7. In which I link you up (vol. 1.7) | Sarah Bessey on January 4, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    […] But by John Blase […]

  8. wynnegraceappears on January 5, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    There is an echoing of amens here . Tender amen.

  9. Lindsey on January 11, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    This is so lovely!

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