I take into my arms more than I can bear to hold
I take into my arms more than I can bear to hold
I am toppled by the world
a creation of ladders, pianos, stairs cut into the rock
a devouring world of teeth where even the common snail
eats the heart out of a forest
as you and I do, who are human, at night
yet still I take into my arms more than I can bear to hold
From The Goose Bath Poems, Vintage 2006
I think of this poem often and at times also feel ‘toppled by the world.’ Every day brings good and bad news that overwhelms; emotions that take me by surprise; sights of wonder, beauty, scale. Shedding light and putting into perspective: we are so small, so potent.

Thanks very much for this poem, I love it.
This is achingly beautiful. I’m suddenly realising that I must read more of Janet Frame’s poems – I’ve read her books, but not much of the poetry,.
I love this poem too. Looking forward to ‘In Her Own Words’.