talking in the kitchen with Daljit
he says to me you have to persevere.
his undercurling smile is full of love.
not for me but for poetry.
to publish poems is to give yourself
in a concise abbreviated form.
you sacrifice the adjectives and lines
not needed for what you want to say.
but i am still afraid of letting go
of losing audiences that i have
and yet i know that Daljit speaks the truth
simplicity - directness - poetry!
hi Ann this poem is so apt and i agree with Cynthia,s comments and i think that she is so right in her advise which i will go by as well. I have little knowledge of the poetry world so what i write can only come from within myself with no outside influence . thank you for your comment on ..alphabet lover..it just kind of came into my head and i enjoyed doing it.glad you liked it xxx bernadette
Yes, I know what you all mean. It's good to take some time out to re-assess (I'm sure I spelt that one wrong!!) Just hope that edit edit edit (sounds like what the baby frogs were saying!) won't end up dull dull dull! (Meaning my poetry!)
If that course said ALL poetry has to be simple and direct, the 'tutors' are overstating. The clear point is: 'not needed for what you want to say'. You must have some idea of your own intent and not anybody else's. And never worry about the reader. If you connect to your honest self, and write that which inspires you, the 'audience' will know, and follow you. There is 'poetry' wisdom in the advice given, but use it as a guide only, not as a harness checking your personal creativity.
glad you enjoyed the course ann.. regards what it taught you i think you are brill already ! i also would enjoy one about the baby frogs and will look forward to reading it as im sure you will do one ! lv bernadette x x
Ann write what you want to write. To hell with who reads it.
Daljit is a wise man, Ann. I think a poem is like a piece of wood that you wittle away at. The trick is knowing when it's finished, and when to stop. Meanwhile I look forward to a poem about the frogs!
Went on a poetry writing course last week. Have become poetically paralysed! But the course was FAB! There were lots of tiny baby frogs everywhere!
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Cynthia Buell Thomas
Wed 25th Aug 2010 15:43
'Edit, edit, edit' is your own best advice. Very few works lose their 'sense of spontaneity' by reviewing them repeatedly with a jaundiced eye. IMO, most poems give you their 'soul' when you tend/cuddle/prod them into maturity.