I've been browsing the wonderful Narrative Magazine today and re-discovered Ted Kooser's stunning poem, "Exercise." I rarely cry at the things I read, but this one brought tears to my eyes, not because it's sad, but because it's tender and incisive and spectacularly generous.

Ted's poetry is so gorgeous and moving, but I marvel most at his generosity, never over-determining his reader's experience, always letting us have the astonishing pleasure of making the final, striking, connection ourselves. I am in awe of this man. He used to teach in my own department, and every time I saw him in the hallway or at a meeting, I sensed genius, and then he'd floor me with his kindness.

Wow.

To read "Exercise," just go to narrativemagazine.com and type "Exercise" in the search box.