The meaning of Poetry (or any good story)

[Frank]

THE MEANING OF POETRY

Step one - read this poem by former poet laureate of the USA Billy Collins
Introduction to Poetry by Billy Collins

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem’s room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to water-ski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author’s name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

Step two - Read my take on this poem

I think that too many people read a poem and right away want to know what it means.
A poem is an experience, a thrill ride at an amusement park, a sensual pleasure like a good cigar or a fine wine. Sip it, taste the flavor and if you don’t like it spit it out. End of story - no need to know “what it means”- FRANK
Now having said that I will present my poem but I will not tell you what it means.

Step three - read my poem and tell me what you think

2 Living breathing Poems by Frank

I have to say I was not thinking
of poetry, but there she was
in the grocery store, discussing produce
prices with her son who was hoping
to survive the ordeal. We passed
each other, she was going one way and I the other
the way was narrow,
so I let her go first,
I extended my arms out
as if holding a door open for her and
strangely enough, she noticed and rewarded me
with a ‘thank you young man’. I especially liked
the way she said young, reminding me
of days long past when I did hold open doors
for older ladies. Some time later, same store, same day,
same two people pass again. We do the same dance,
even though we are now going back the other way,
each of us having reversed our direction,
this time there is only ‘thank you again.’ but I am happy
with that. Her son comes rushing up her, hands in air,
there you are, he tells her (as if she did not know).
He tells her they are done, she says good, can we go get our
food now. He says, yes I think it is ready now.
Now I am in the parking lot, loading my car, I see her again
she is standing in front of the Chinese take-out joint,
looking like she has lost something but I know it is not her sense
she may be silver in hair and slight, but there is still sparklers
lit in those eyes. No, she has lost her son, who stands four car
spaces away loading his or is it hers ? groceries in their car.
Neither can see the other, but I, the poet can see them both.
As the poet, I wonder how this will end, should I interfere,
or leave it to the imagination of the reader ? No, I think the
reader deserves closure and while I am thinking that she discovers
where he is and waves and then goes into the Chinese joint.
I don’t know what happened next as I drove away but you
the reader deserve some sort of an ending so, as I am walking back
from the car to my house, a very young lady rides her training wheel
equipped bike up to me and says “hello.” and I say hello back
and then she says “goodbye.” and rides away.

[Maureen]

I think your poem paints very pleasing picture, and tells a story that was enjoyable for me to read. I am glad you believe the reader deserves closure.

I think Billy Collins' poem is brilliant, as well.

I think it is a relief not to have to wonder what a poem is about, and just be able to enjoy it.

[Frank]

I am with you Maureen on that one.
It is a relief NOT to have to explain what
something means especially when I don't know myself.
In those cases I have to use big words like
OBTUSE and Chartruse and pretend that I did not misspell them.
Whew, the work of the poet tires me out.
Talk to you later.
Frank

[Ang Monsoon]

Hi Frank, in the Billy Graham poem I like the idea of the mouse being put into it & the ear against the hive. I agree with h im: human beings always have to know, they have to know everything. We dig old skeletons up, we analyse fibres in ancient cloth, we x-ray paintings, to know everything. Science. I feel sorry for ancient remains displayed in museums, I feel they should be left in peace. Your poem certainly had me reading along to find out what was going to happen. Poetry as a grocery shopper, very humurous. My favourite bit was when you hold your arms out & let her go past. You are very good at characterisation I think, a real solid sense of people in your poems, are you a playwrite as well?!

[Ang Monsoon]

got a mental block on spelling humourous at the moment, and too lazy to look it up...

[Frank]

Dear Angie:
Love your comment, with the possible exception of the Billy Graham reference,
I love his crackers
don't care much for his preaching
and have never read his poetry or heard it read.
As for your spelling of humurous,
I merely thought this was a British mis-spelling, I mean spelling.
As for your observation about human nature and wanting to know how things work,
I will say that you have inspired me to write another poem which I will dump here
sometime later.
But for now I will leave you with a story.
When I was very young, I got a toy bus for christmas. As it rolled forward, the side door opened.
I wanted to know how that worked so I took the bus apart. I am not sure if I found my answer
but I do know the bus never worked the same again. The end.
I do not have a moral to this story.

Talk to you later,
Frank

[Maureen]

Billy Graham has crackers? OH! I just got it ...

[Ang Monsoon]

oops, getting my Billies mixed up there!! I know one hum is an arm bone, the other laughter, but which is which i dunno one picks up bad spelling habits over the years, that's my excuse. Similarly to your bus story: i used to like my dolls' long hair, but i always had the compulsion to cut it it, and of course dolls' hair never grows back....

[Beverly]

Thanks for sharing Billy Collins poem, your take on it and most importantly a poem written by you.
I feel like I was there sharing that experience with you, that elderly lady and the younger man.
Very descriptive. I always, I admit, look for deeper meaning behind what you write. Now maybe
I will take your poems at face value, then again I might not. Now I will really be thinking twice
about what you write, sigh......
Love the last three lines, an unexpected twist to the story, yet seems to flow and connect anyway. And though
it's not the ending I am expecting, nevertheless, I am thankful for the closure.
Glad you are writing again. Always a treat to see what you and your Muse are up to!
Keep on writing!!!!!!!

[Frank]

Thank you Bev for your kind words.
My poem has no meaning - it is just my observations of two experiences that happened to me.

[Ang Monsoon]

thanks for sharing this, Frank, i found it very HUM (a new word i just invented, i don't see why a person can't invent words if they like to). I've never even heard of Billy Collins & I see he's a poet laureate.....he seems a nice HUM, affable type of chap. Sorry for being trivial.

[Frank]

I like that you invented a word, Angie
that ranks you up there with the greats
but does it make you HUM ?
or a very HUM ?
I do not know - you'll have to help me out here.
Anyway, fun talking to you

[Maureen]

Loved this video -- thanks for passing it along, it gave me a good chuckle. I have one of his poetry books; really like his work. It was fun seeing him "in person."