A Hundred Bolts of Satin: A memory

Kay Ryan

It’s the beginning of the month, which means it’s time for a new Memory, the side of Poetry & Process where we come together to memorize poetry. We conduct this practice to engrain words of meaning into our minds, bodies, and beings that will serve as a companion during our walk through life. While each life is unique, the situations we encounter and the emotions we face have been felt by many who have walked before us. Poems we know deeply can speak what we need to hear at the most opportune times.

All Poetry & Process subscribers have access to all newsletters, including Memory. The thread in the chat function is for the Memory Community, a group of subscribers who financially support Poetry & Process. To join us, use the link below for a free season (3 months).

May you uncouple from your own limiting stories…

-Brian

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For August, we turn our attention to a poem that the author describes as, “a poem about when the brain falls apart” and “a terrifying poem”. Perhaps, and as I have read this piece over and over, I see many layers and wonder what is on the other side of the words, and on the other side of uncoupling…

Photo by Alexander starcew

A Hundred Bolts of Satin by Kay Ryan

Spoken:

Text:

All you
have to lose
is one 
connection
and the mind 
uncouples 
all the way back.
It seems
to have been
a train.
There seems
to have been
a track.
The things
that you
unpack
from the 
abandoned cars
cannot sustain
life: a crate of
tractor axles,
for example,
a dozen dozen
clasp knives,
a hundred 
bolts of satin—
perhaps you
specialized 
more than
you imagined.

Video:

The Poet:

If you are interested in Kay Ryan’s biography, check out this summary on Poetry Foundation.

Chat:

This is the point in our memorization process where we move the conversation to a Thread in the Chat function in the SubStack app/website. The text of the poem is posted there for paid subscribers to read and come back to. Check in today and throughout the week to hear how others in this community are memorizing the poem, the impact it is having on their week, and to discuss the themes in the poem.

If this community interests you, use the below link for a free season (3 months) of the Memory community.

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Make this experience your own, choosing how you approach the poem’s content, your memorization process, and connect with us in the chat!

I look forward to our conversation!

Brian

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