Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

'To earth we return' by elPintor is Write Out Loud Poem of the Week

entry picture

The new Write Out Loud Poem of the Week is ‘to earth we return’ by elPIntor, a short and powerful love poem. ElPIntor’s profile page says: “I've enjoyed my stay here at WoL much more than I would've anticipated at my first posting and am glad to continue to participate.” Music as well as poetry is an important part of elPintor’s life. In the following answers she also pays tribute to the encouragement a professor gave “to an ordinary bunch of Appalachian students”, and who prompted her first “poem”.  

 

What got you into writing poetry?

I've been writing prose for a long while, but I have to say that a dear literature professor prompted my very first “poem”.  In fact, I posted it to my WoL blog as “bombardment”.  I remember being late for class the day it was due (spring of 2005, maybe), thinking long and hard about the assignment that this great West African teacher gave to an ordinary bunch of Appalachian college students.  I was at a particularly precipitous stage in my life and the piece I wrote was somewhat personal. Trying hard not to be noticed, I hurried into class in the midst of the student readings and the  professor accepted my submission and read it before the room.  His reading was slow and methodical, as if taking in every word as he read it aloud - I could not have performed it more beautifully myself.  The kindnesses this man showed me were, in my eyes, extraordinary and I will never forget him.

 

How long have you been writing?

I've been writing prose since my teenage years.  Though, I believe I began most prolifically once I realised that I was at a distance great enough from my family that my personal feelings could no longer be intuitively “sniffed out” by them. 

 

Do you go to any open-mic nights?

I would like to - to listen to others, anyhow.  I've heard some recorded readings here and elsewhere that were very moving.  The inflection in a reader's voice can create such depth and enhances understanding of content so perfectly that I can't help but be impressed.

 

What’s your favourite poet/poem?

I'm very fond of Conor Oberst - a musician maybe better known from his work as Bright Eyes or with the Desaparecidos.  My favourite piece by him?  That must be Landlocked Blues.

 

You're cast away on a desert island. What's your luxury?

YouTube.  I couldn't live without music and a video on how to survive on a desert island. 

 

 

TO EARTH WE RETURN

by elPintor

 

now and again

I feel the premature

sting of loss...

 

as I look upon

the mound of your womb

I want to place a kiss

 

so that, if the slow

drip of time passes

it's poison properly

 

and you descend before me

into the cool dark ground

 

I'll never forget the taste

of my tears upon your belly

as long as I live.

 

 

 

◄ Poetry and much more at festival in Charles Causley's centenary year

'You're what roof I have, frail thing, you're my argument against the whole sky' ►

Please consider supporting us

Donations from our supporters are essential to keep Write Out Loud going

Comments

elPintor

Sat 13th May 2017 02:29

Hi, John..I listened to the song--a few times over, in fact. And, I couldn't help but explore the story of the songwriter. I hope that any who read this comment will do the same--it's a beautiful and poignant song. I thank you kindly John, for sharing with me, and thus, the rest.

Rachel

ps
watching Jansch in his early days reminds me much of Jose Gonzalez..

Thanks again, John!

Profile image

John Marks

Fri 12th May 2017 22:16

I've admired your poems from the sidelines for ages and you have encouraged me so very much. Thank you. I thought a lot about what you said. This is a present from me to thee. From a northern man to an Appalachian poet. My favourite singer, Bert Jansch's take on Jackson C Frank's 'Blues Run the Game'. '. Hope you like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MO_Xxq3LVw

elPintor

Tue 9th May 2017 12:22

Good morning, Laura and Suki. Thank you both, kindly--it's just a product of too much contemplation, I suppose. I admire your work, as well, and your congrats are much appreciated.

Rachel

Profile image

suki spangles

Mon 8th May 2017 21:54

You probably know already how much I admire and enjoy your poetry. So glad you have won. Brilliant, and well deserved!!
Suki

Profile image

Laura Taylor

Mon 8th May 2017 09:19

Hey Rachel

Nicely done. Tis a thing of dark beauty this poem, well done ?

elPintor

Mon 8th May 2017 01:11

It is so kind of all of you to share in my pleasure with such supportive comments. Just before I started posting here on WoL, there was a long period where I stopped writing completely. I never thought that I could ever reattain the contentment it had once brought me--but I was wrong. And, the thing with blogging here is that I get the chance to get out of my own head for a bit with glimpses into yours by reading what you each share--I love that!

So, thanks for all of your continued encouragement, Karen, Colin, Paul, Stu, Martin, and David (I love it when you say my name)--it really means a lot to me.

Rachel xx

Profile image

Martin Elder

Sun 7th May 2017 19:04

Yep I have to agree this one is a real cracker elp, as Colin and Stu said any of your offerings would be worthy. I am so pleased that you have been selected. I always admire your sparing use of words and how you say so much so wonderfully. As Karen says Achingly beautiful

Profile image

Stu Buck

Sun 7th May 2017 15:18

excellent choice. stirringly beautiful, sensual and not a breath wasted. colins right, i'd show no surprise at any of your work being chosen, so uniformly excellent are they. but these pieces where you come down to earth and focus in on what it is to be human, as opposed to the grander questions you ask with the majority of your work, work so well because each word aches and haunts.

good show, basically.

Profile image

Paul Waring

Sun 7th May 2017 14:43

Congratulations elP, richly deserved POTW tribute to a fine poem. As I wrote in my comment during the week, I was drawn back repeatedly to re-read it. Impressive writing.

Well done.

Paul

<Deleted User> (13762)

Sun 7th May 2017 13:25

any poem, any week, each one would be worthy of poem of the week. Long overdue. Loved your answers to the first two questions elP.
Col.

Profile image

Karen Ankers

Sun 7th May 2017 09:22

So glad this is Poem of the Week! Achingly beautiful.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message