I am trying to think up
a good poem. I would like it to be good
to make up for all the offenses
of bad poems. Though I suspect that's
too much to demand from my simple skills.
Even a really good poem would be able to atone
for little of the intolerance, torture, and warfare
conducted in the name of poetry.
Join me below the fold for a few more poem poems.
I got possessed by the poem as metaphor and for some months could not stop writing on the theme. 50 of these brief "poem poems" have been collected into a little book called Fact (& I do mean little; the book can fit in a playing card box and still bang around). I hope you enjoy a selection. I have appended a brief comment to each poem; the comment is not intended to be the only interpretation or what the poem really means, but rather a suggestion for further exploration.
This poem seems just like
wall, but push it, and
find its give. It is opening.
As you push it, it gives in.
comment: The page is like a wall, unresponsive. But work with it and you can find a way in. Perhaps this is true of people and political systems.
Though You Have My Permission to Write It
Everything has already been written.
Including this poem.
comment: Is originality essential? You have permission to be unoriginal and beautiful and human.
This poem makes no effort
to stir the emotions, hopes
rather, that they will settle,
as, at the bottom of the cup,
there is the fine powder
from the teabag, the
tea cooling.
comment: Getting a reaction is not always appropriate. Peace and rest are needed for healing.
The poem was still
lighting his mouth
when I kissed his
mouth. And I felt the
warmth of the very
small light that uncovers
a few words.
comment: Our words leave our bodies, but the meanings remain.
The poem thinks when it
comes to an end --
that will be it! Death!
Four lines, a fifth
and then -- eternal oblivion!
comment: It is in those five lines that the poem exists. It begins, it ends, yet it persists.
The poem is listening
and, at the same
time, talking -- perfectly
capable of this triumphal
feat.
comment: Don't you feel like the right words aren't just talking to you, but hearing your concerns?
Thank you for reading. Please leave your thoughts (and poetry) below.
For more on Fact go here.
For more of my writing I keep two blogs: LoveSettlement is for my more creative works; Dare I Read responds to books.
Though I'm LuvSet here, I'm Glenn Ingersoll everywhere.
Join Indigo Kalliope every Tuesday afternoon.
Your own poetry is always welcome in the comments.
Bongos, berets & turtle neck sweaters optional.
The keyboard is mightier than the sword.
Readers and Booklovers Schedule (note; new series by Brecht to debut on the 22nd!):
bigjac here,
with the hosting schedule,
which is wide open,
for anyone who wants to host next week,
or some other week in the near future:
February:
26th open
March:
5th open
12th open
19th open
26th open
Come teach us more about poetry,
as LuvSet has done for us,
or at least for me,
today.
(Thanks LuvSet!)