Damned poetry
i've a mind to give it up
while i'm ahead,
but i'm not though
and I need the solace
it might afford,
the gravestone inscriptions,
prescriptions for a better time.
I've reached that clearing before
where the air is fresh,
where the tiniest of life forms find freedom
apart from us.
So poetry, even though it makes such a fuss
I can't give up
even though it runs away
like a cat you think you can love
never proven.
Hi Ray
Loads of truth in this and I can echo, as I'm sure so many others can also, your thoughts concerning the subject
Jon
Indeed Mark those are all ingredients as you say. A poetic sensibility does not necessarily rely heavily on any one aspect , but individuals can select their motivations and express them. I would like to think a good poem is multifaceted drawing us into new considerations. Not always achievable nor to some desirable. Thanks for your thoughts. !
Ray
The delight in poetry is that it allows one to rage, rave, reject, renounce, respect, revere and even revise -
and to adopt those varied aspects according to need or mood.
Carry on adding to OUR reward by continuing the chase to meet their challenges. ?
Yes Ray, there is a tug of war going on within. Writing for myself vs writing to get accolades from others. I guess we all have this tug of war this to some extent....
So true, Greg. I do do that from time to time - but it takes mental stamina to go through such a vast archive and still be inspired. Mind you with your background I can imagine an approach not much different from the Greathead Shield or its equivalent. Keep 'em coming!
Ray
If you're not writing new poems, Ray, you can always go over old ones and edit and tweak, if you feel in the mood to do so. Sometimes you can really freshen them up!
Thanks all for taking this on board. Writing poems can so easily be a source of conflict as well as therapy. maybe they are interchangeable.
When I joined Wol I was.on it like a rash, living out the dream and then I woke up to a harsh reality. Now I'm patient and more self critical. That's my only yardstick.
Jennifer, thanks for being always supportive. Your encouragement is the air that I breathe.
Vautaw, find what suits you and be true to yourself. It's not compulsory! It's a tricky time to be inspired, most of us quite desperate.
Graham, I wonder if you have a strict regime
Of writing. That could work with a novel or a factual subject so they say, but poetry.would hard to rely on in terms of the.muse!
Thanks Don for adding your thoughts. I would only say that sounds rather insular, which is not the you that I recognise. If you are so self sufficient, I presume comments wouldn't count very much. Maybe an internal tug o war is going on. Whatever works mate. Were all different.
Thanks again fellow Wollers.
Ray.
I basically write to please myself. It feels good. If others like it, fine. If not, still fine.....
One thing I’ve learned is that writing (any kind, and I do it for a living) cannot be forced. If it is it is usually disappointing. It will never be your best stuff.
My sentiments exactly lately! I want to give it up, my muse is self-isolating somewhere, but somehow I keep showing up expecting the words to flow. I suppose there’s nothing us ole poets can do except write on! ?
Too kind, Po. I don't put much on these days or comment due to retaining dwindles reserves of energy, but glad you liked it.
That's nice Jennifer. Like a jack in the box i'll pop up now and again, even though the springs are a little slack.
Thanks too to Lorraine for looking in !
Ray
Please don't give it up ever Ray, we would feel a lot poorer without your posts. Liked this one.
Jennifer
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raypool
Thu 30th Apr 2020 14:17
thank you Jon , I'm chuffed you've looked up a few of my poems!
It's nice that you pick up on the sentiment of this. A fairly desperate state of mind created it!
Ray