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.

[Beverly]

Hi Mo and Angie,
Your vacation poems are outstanding. Each of you so unique in how you approached
the subject. So glad to see some beautiful writing swirling around here.
describing vacations can be boring, but Mo you have such a poetic heart that magic can be found in the words. Particularly, I love:

listening to raindrops
on my pear tree,
watching fireflies
wink against the
new night.

watching the clouds idle
in their own ocean.

flashing his scarlet feathers at me
if only for
an instant.

All my senses are activated, the phrases here are so different and unique, nothing like I've ever seen. And of course birdie with his scarlet feathers dear to my heart.
I want to paint your words........
It appears these 1 minute poems are very effective for you!
I shall have to try one, I am now inspired!

[Maureen]

Hi Bev, Thank you so much -- you are always so kind and encouraging. This type of poetry is very fun. I like it, because I don't have time to think much so the words can tumble out before my inner critic has a chance to catch them.

I know you would do a great job with these ... let me know when you write one!

By the way, I am now enjoying birds so much because of you :-).

love, mo

[Frank]

Angie:
I hear your voice and I like what it is saying. Move over, David Sedaris - the new kid is coming.
But actually you know more about New York than I do, since I don't that song by Billy Joel.

I am surprised and hurt to hear that someone who cheats is getting cheated on.
Thank you Mo for the info.

There used to be four newspapers (dailys) in Chicago. Now there is one, not counting the disgrace
that is owned by Rupert Murdock. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Chicago Tribune which I did not like because they owned the Cubs but now they are selling them so I like them again.

So now you are educated about newspapers in Chicago. Sweet home Chicago.

Home of the 2016 Olympics (maybe),
Frank

[Maureen]

Frank, you are welcome for the info. Just for the record, I don't feel sorry for him that he got cheated on. I feel sorry for anyone who is such an idiot.

[Francesca]

Hi Frank, I am new here but as soon as I saw this discussion just plunged into your poem.
I find that one of the many implications of your poem may be that poetry is just everywhere around you, it mingles with groceries and parking lots, with memories and sense impressions. I like that you find poetry in the woman's silver streaked hair and sparkling eyes, it makes space for reflection about human interaction and the nature of feelings in fleeting moments when the poet's (your!) imagination is trying to work out possibilities.
Possibilities, think of them, what awesome stuff for poetry.
About the need for closure for the reader, I am not sure whether you are ironical about that?
Thank you for the experience, you showed me around your local store and I thouroughly enjoyed it!

[Maureen]

Hi Francesca,
Just wanted to say welcome to CCS -- you will like it here! If you need any help getting around, feel free to ask ...

Maureen

[Ang Monsoon]

Mo, I adored your poems on vacation, all three of them. I particularly liked the raindrops on the pear tree, the clouds in their ocean, and the cloud shadows across the mountains. No.2. poem I felt was very honest. I'd love to see the final poem one day, or however many poems that come from this theme.

[Ang Monsoon]

Vacation (1 min)

Ireland is a good place for a vacation
they say the weather is different every day
never two days the same
And you can rely on the Guinness
to go down smooth.

[Ang Monsoon]

Vacation (2 min) - had to stop the clock as "froze half way"

On vacation I like to walk the length and breadth
of a city, right to the outskirts,
I want to see the crevices,
the side-streets
and rough bits
the bits were noone usually goes
I want to read the local paper
and if i'm in Ireland I want to go to the pub
and drink Guinness.

[Ang Monsoon]

Vacation (3 min)

It's funny the things you remember,
the gipsy girl in Florence (Firenze),
dancing around us with a newspaper
trying to pickpocket
and the poor family in Cork...
somehow they seep in
they overtake the traditional
family album snaps...
the wild cats in Naples.
I loved the food in Italy
everywhere you went there was good food
and every evening a parade of colour.

[Maureen]

Angie, you are such a pro at these! All three of these vacation poems are wonderful, filled with sights and sounds I can reach out and touch.

"And you can rely on the Guinness to go down smooth" -- what a fantastic line.

I really like your description of the gypsy girl in Florence, and in the 2nd poem, "I want to see the crevices, the side streets and rough bits..."

Your poems are always a delight to read.

[Beverly]

What I love about everyone's writing here is the unique take each has on the same subject. Angie, your work is real, yet raw in its honesty.
Thought I'd see a Guinness reference in #3. Ha, ha. Perhaps we do remember the more quirky things on vacation but traditional family stuff just doesn't have the same color, does it? Routine at times.
Interesting how the first 1 minute was almost written from "others" perspective and then the 2nd and 3rd minute got more into your own personal/emotional take on exploring places. I love that you don't hold back in your writing, you have such a unique voice because of that. You seem such an adventurer in your writing and in life. Neat!

I want to go on vacation to the places above you mentioned.