all the pretty problems
that ever got to me,
the ones who tore me up
and scarred my feet
from rocks and glass
left in my path,
but they’ve all but gone to waste
— always something new
to take their place…
all these pretty problems
blinding me,
causing me to lose myself
and stealing all my faith
— nothing won
and nothing more to lose,
dismantling my atomic bomb
and rendering me inert
with every broken piece…
you’re my pretty problem
in all that you expect of me
with your careless ways
and your wild horses,
you never bring me peace…
I love my pretty problems
despite the ways they tangle me
— the twists and turns,
they make me free
and light up all my days
The night surrounds me and words consume me, and this place, it lights my way.
Garbage Notes:
This poem was me reflecting on the fact that life is filled with problems and conflicts and obstacles. But that’s just sort of how life is. And we can think of our problems as beautiful (or pretty), because they are unique to us.
Despite how desperately we might want bad stuff to go away, the reality is, yes, some suffering will fade, but it will soon be replaced by some other form of suffering. It’s only a matter of time, and it’s part of moving forward.
One line that stands out is the part about scarred feet and rocks and glass being left in my path. See, some difficulties come from your own actions, but other times you inherit them from other people’s indiscretions. It’s just shit you gotta trudge through, like some wreckage left in the street.
Reading it now, it stands out to me that wild horses, atomic bomb, light my way, and (probably) nothing more to lose are all phrases that echo lyrics from U2 songs. I don’t remember if this started out as intentional or if I caught myself doing it and just went with it. But yeah, it’s there and it’s still noticeable upon reflection.
And the last line is just kind of different. It’s a full sentence with punctuation that stands apart from the rest. It gives the feeling of solemnity and reprieve. In a piece about the nature of frustration, it ends on a note of quiet positivity. Feeling like, yeah, it’s dark and everything consumes me, but being here and finding your places in life—that’s the kind of thing that can keep you going.
Franco Amati 2023
Love the little sprinkles of U2 song lyrics. Nicely incorporated throughout the poem. And the last sentence is just beautiful
Franco, this may well be my favorite of all your poems I've read! It's gorgeous, profound, wise, and mystical. WOW