How I Get Ready

Ashleigh Young

• Publisher: Victoria University Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781776562367
• eBook ISBN: 9781776563258
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Poetry
• Index: Literature

A reflective journey through everyday life, loss, and the search for meaning in contemporary New Zealand.

In How I Get Ready, Ashleigh Young explores the complexities of modern existence with humor and vulnerability. From failing to learn to drive to contemplating mortality, Young's poems capture the beauty and absurdity of the ordinary. Her unique voice and keen observations offer a fresh perspective on personal experiences and the world around us.

This collection is for readers who appreciate contemporary poetry that delves into self-reflection, relationships, and the human condition. Discover a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of life's challenges and triumphs. Experience the power of poetry to illuminate the hidden corners of our hearts and minds.

CONTENTS

The Spring

ooooooooo

Turn Out to Be Something

Ghost Bear

The Declining Number of Longfin Eels

Cast the Porpoise Out

Contributor Note (i)

The Feeling of Action

Everything

Reception

Driving

Contributor Note (ii)

Sasha

Guide

Contributor Note (iii)

Action Lines

Triolet with Baby

ooooooooo

If So How

Feedback

Dandelions

Words of Praise

Treasure

Contributor Note (iv)

Turkeys

Theo

Your Horse

Process

Things to Do (2011)

Things to Do (2015)

Lifted

ooooooooo

Contents

Discontinuation

The Unspeakable Love

Fancy

‘Sonnet’

A Real Piece of Work

Bats Redux

Contributor note (v)

Hero Vegetable

Editors on the Storm

Lunch Poem

Control

This Time

How I Get Ready

NOTES

The Spring

One day last week while going to work

I saw a horse lying on the street

and people were trying to help it up.

It came to my mind that I must know

how and when they were going to get that horse up.

I saw that it was hard for them

to get the horse up and I wished they would get it up quick

as I was in a hurry to go to work.

Some people that I know came and greeted me

but I did not pay attention to their greetings

because I had the horse on my mind.

Whenever a wagon comes by

I start to run after the wagon until I can

make sure of the colour

of the horses.

I must know.

I test my heart—take out my watch

I think the cause of heart failure

is if I did any-

thing like running hard, if I ran too much;

sometimes I can’t do anything

without anything in my hand;

whenever I

sit idle I don’t know why but I do it

I take this pencil and hold it in my hand

write somethi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• The Spring
• Turn Out to Be Something
• Ghost Bear
• The Declining Number of Longfin Eels
• Cast the Porpoise Out
• Contributor Note (i)
• The Feeling of Action
• Everything
• Reception
• Driving
• Contributor Note (ii)
• Sasha
• Guide
• Contributor Note (iii)
• Action Lines
• Triolet with Baby
• If So How
• Feedback
• Dandelions
• Words of Praise
• Treasure
• Contributor Note (iv)
• Turkeys
• Theo
• Your Horse
• Process
• Things to Do (2011)
• Things to Do (2015)
• Lifted
• Contents
• Discontinuation
• The Unspeakable Love
• Fancy
• ‘Sonnet’
• A Real Piece of Work
• Bats Redux
• Contributor note (v)
• Hero Vegetable
• Editors on the Storm
• Lunch Poem
• Control
• This Time
• How I Get Ready
• NOTES