Jorie Graham To 2040

[Joseph Tracy]

My neighbor and friend loaned me a book of poetry by Pulitzer winner Jorie Graham. Matt is a composer( recent work performed at the Met) of operas and musical settings for poetry and is working on a musical setting for some of Jorie Graham’s work. He can also play a mean-rockin keyboard. I was moved by her work and checked out a new book of her poetry called To 2040 from the Williamstown library. She is a very earth based poet but also follows her thoughts and imaginings through long internal reveries , often, but not always seeing and foreseeing the losses and pain in nature during this time of deadly change. As the title says it is a look into the future based on what can be seen now. It may bring tears and glowing moments to any who can find it in themselves to walk with her.