Poetry’s in the journey . . .
Poetry I cannot force,
it comes and then it goes.
Like a river at its source,
it ebbs and then it flows.
Words, you see, are only that,
and rhyme and rhythm, too.
Poetry’s not pit-a-pat,
but here in me and you.
–in the sun and in the rain,
the things that quiet tears;
in the love and in the pain–
experience of years.
Then the poet, what is she?
She’s nothing like a muse.
Rather, she’s a puppet, see,
and words her only use.
So poetry, my fickle friend,
I wonder what’s in store?
Will you stay until the end,
or show me to the door?
..
For an audio recording of this poem, click here:
“Poetry is what happens when nothing else can.”
– Charles Bukowski
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Note: The first stanza of this poem came to me in a moment of frustration when I was trying very, very hard to write another poem on a very different subject–and getting nowhere. Since that time, it has taken me FOREVER to finish this. Fickle is right!
Image: Pinterest
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I enjoyed this but this bit made me particularly smile:
“Then the poet, what is she?…Rather, she’s a puppet, see…”
I wonder how many poets, writers and artists would smile in recognition of howling in anguish and toil because their muse is hibernating and stubbornly refuses to pull the strings.
Haha. I think most of us would recognize that anguish! I find poetry frustrating becomes sometimes it comes easily and then other times it’s like pulling teeth! One of these days I’m going to write a post demonstrating all of the poems I’ve started but been able to finish. There are a lot.
Hope you’re having a great week!
Beautiful, simply beautiful.
Thank you so much, Myles.
I used to write poetry. But it tore me to pieces. I stopped. J
Sometimes it’s easy. And then sometimes it’s so, *so* hard.
“Poetry, my fickle friend…”
“–in the sun and in the rain,
the things that quiet tears;
in the love and in the pain–
experience of years.”
Knocked it out the park on this one, my friend! If this is what you said you were working on last week, it was definitely worth the effort, and the wait…
805 thumbs up! :o)
You are far too kind, Vance. Yes, this poem has been with me on many a bike rides this past week. When I made it to the third stanza, I didn’t know what I wanted to say… It’s time for me to start reading more poetry. I know it would help.
Here’s a recommendation for you:
http://www.amazon.com/Next-Life-Pat-Boran/dp/1906614679/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384441334&sr=1-1&keywords=pat+boran
I think you’d appreciate this guy’s voice. “Snowman” is one of my favorites; it’s the third one in…
I’ll check it out. Thank you!!!
This poem is woven so well, it insulates a clear thought in a beautiful, evolving way. It is like a perfectly formed, graceful, symmetric jellyfish in pristine waters. There’s humor about its undulating, self contained presence, with rhymes being the consistent pulse that moves it; yet it could sting, getting us caught up in those trails leading to poetry’s door. Transparency, too, is implied, that leaves us unsure if we have seen it all. And that leaves the thoughtful door open. A joy to read “Poetry.”
“Will you stay with me until the end, or show me to the door” … this is so true for all forms of writing. Great stuff my friend!
Thank you, Bupe! You’re too sweet. I liked those lines, too… Hope you’ve been well!!
I’ve been drowning in work for the past month. No time to blog. Been missing my blog. Hopefully I can catch up with everyone soon. Take care!
You too! And awww, I’m sorry! I hope work settles down for you soon!!
Terrific! I enjoyed it immensely.
Aww, thank you! This one was *not* easy!
That was really nice Ms. Jessica. Again, it made more sense to me or became much clearer when you read it. Its really a wonderful creative piece.
Thank you. Mostly it was me venting about how frustrating writing poetry can be! :) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Andy!
What is poetry but another way to start a network of conversation. Would you say that poetry can express better how a situation occurs for you? Would you say that poetry holds the power to empower you into more creative thoughts?
Shakti
I like that thought, Shakti — that poetry can start a network of conversation. I’d say poetry definitely helps express the feelings stirred by a situation in a very succinct way. I think that that’s the beauty of poetry. It takes out the excess and leaves us with that which matters — raw emotion… which, yes, can lead to even more creative thoughts.
My problem, as a friend has pointed out, is that that I get too stuck on the technical side of poetry. I allow rhyme and rhythm to dictate rather than thought. I’m working on that.
Thank you for sharing!
Jess, wonderful. You put a smile on my face and remind me again how beautiful art soothes the soul. You are delightful artist. :-)
Thank you, Professor. That means so much.
I stayed until the end. ;)
I’m not sure you could have paid me a higher compliment, Dan. Glad to hear it!
Very nice, Jessica, I love the thought that poetry is here in me and you. Both words and picture really touched me.
Thank you so much, Otto. That means so much. I really do think that that’s what poetry is. It’s not rhyme and rhythm, which I tend to focus so much on in my poetry — it’s something else. It’s life experience, which has no limits.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, have a great weekend yourself, Jessica!
This is so lovely Jessica!
I loved hearing you read the words ~ such a beautiful voice reading beautiful expressions.
I feel inspired by this, thank you for sharing!
~Andrea<3
Ohh, Andrea, you are far too kind. I’m glad to hear that, though. Thank you!
that girl reads poetry well ;)
Aww, thank you. Actually, I’ve been wanting to re-record this but haven’t had time. The second to last stanza has been bugging me. Oh well!
Thanks Robert! Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
You’re welcome! Ha, I know exactly what you mean. I do the same thing. Sometimes we are our own worst critic. I think you did great :) And thank you, hope the same for you!
Ye, I got to read your poems again!! It is a great pleasure to read this one and listen to your reading!! You are awesome, and thank you so much for sharing your talent of writing and amusing thoughts!!!
Aww, you are so kind! I’m glad you liked this. I really wrote it out of a moment of frustration when I was finding writing poetry hard. I *do* love writing it, though.
It is always nice to hear from you!!!
never ever go to the door because you write so beautifuuly, Jessica! :D
Awww, thanks Sam! I’ll certainly try not to!! :D
Very nice Jess, the words and flow of what you say in incredible…also made so much better (and easier) with your voice, like I mentioned before it really is nice to hear your cadence while thinking about the words. Beautiful.
I’m glad you liked this one, Randy. I really like the first two stanzas. I’m with you, though — I like the next poem about a “simple life” even better. And yes, I too feel the recorded version of the poems. Poetry is meant to be heard as much as read!
Good bblog post