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.

[Frank]

Francesca,
the poetry is everywhere, even the commonplace moment
as for the irony that is for you to decide, there is no one meaning to any moment or any poem,
just the perception of the reader
Feel free to take the one minute challenge (3 times) or just write anything you want here

Frankly Frank

[Beverly]

Welcome Francesca,
The more writers/poets here the merrier. I myself after making a few comments have decided to post raw, mind you raw 3 1 minute blurbs and the timer goofed up so what can I say. At least I got some writing down!

lst minute

Working in National Parks
is a vacation
alligators roam under our lodgings
coyotes howl at night
dolphins dance in the air
magic is everywhere
and tiredness eases
at the end of a long shift
Yet tourists do lulrk
asking the same questions
over and over and we
give the same answers

2nd minute

The magic of Yellowstone
and Grand Canyon and
Everglades offer
mysteries the ordinary
tourist does not see
fog covered abysses
buffalo roaming in the
pitch black of midnight
baby alligators born in
a swamp

Third minute

so why would I long
to escape to Las Vegas
during time off
to get away from one crowd
and into another
seems hardly a refuge
to each his own, I suppose
the clinking of coins on
metal a start contrast
to nature's voices crooning
in my ear.

(I stayed on the same subject more or less, oh well!)

[Maureen]

Bev, you are a natural! These are stunning. I love your description of working in the National Park -- the images are so clear -- and the last lines are a great contrast: "Yet tourists do lurk asking the same questions over and over and we give the same answers."

The second one offers such a unique perspective on popular vacation spots ... what "the ordinary tourist does not see ..."

And your third poem is the charm! "So why would I long to escape to Las Vegas ... to get away from one crowd and into another" -- brilliant! Each poem stands on its own, and yet they go together. Each has it's own set of contrasts, as well as the poem as a whole.

How in the world did you do this in 3 minutes??

[Beverly]

might have been a bit over a minute for each one as the oven timer was screwed up. But just felt good to tap into some writing no matter what the time frame. I was wondering if I should have made each little story/poem a little more unique to stand apart even more. Also, I wanted it to in a more poetic format so was surprised when it came out in a story form. But this is what the writing muse wanted from me so I won't fight it. Isn't this fun though? Love having a topic/subject to write from. I wonder what we can write about next? Any ideas, anyone?
It's interesting, I felt my creative spirit unleased after writing this like it was a warm-up for what came next, red-winged blackbird painting. So happy the creative juices kept flowing from one medium to the next. I'm feeling less resistance these days, finally.

[Ang Monsoon]

hi everyone, happy independence day to y'all!!!!!!!! I've just read through everyon'e posts above, so will reply to all here. Frank, thank you for putting me in the picture about Chicago newspapers:

Chicago Newspapers

I can feel newsprint on my sticky little hands.
Don't think that happens anymore in real life.
But, in my imagination, they're covered in little words
about Chicago.
All along my heart line,
All along my fortune line,
And the Mount of Venus is covered
with Chicago verbs and consonants.

(hee hee: extremely quick. It just feel out of a paragraph!!)

Beverly & Mo, thanks for yr. comments on my quickie vacations. I'm not adventurous in my world travelling really...Ireland is just a hop, skip, n a jump f'us really....I have been a few times, North & South & would like to go again. Italy was a long, long time ago, I haven't travelled on the continent much, & all before we he had the kids...cept for a "package" to Mallorca 2 yrs ago. I'll press add reply, & respond to Bev's poems in a separate box.

[Ang Monsoon]

Thanks for taking me behind the scenes to show the "other" side of the National Parks, Beverly, and to the birthing of a baby 'gater. I can imagine you working on these/this one day and illustrating with your wonderful bird/animal pics? It's a great subject, from a unique view, and I'd certainly like to hear and see more about it, when you're ready....It's interesting as well I think, with these fast poems, how generally we all seem to hit "jackpot" in the last couple of lines...literally in your one. To me they're like little magical spells revealing a truth for us. My sis has been on holiday to Las Vegas & she had a great time.

[Beverly]

Hi Angie,
Isn't it neat when our fellow poets/writers/artists inspire us with their work? It's a great jumping off point to our own creative magic. I especially love:

And the Mount of Venus is covered
with Chicago verbs and consonants.

Can you elaborate on what this means? It intrigues me on a deep level and I want
to know more........I love taking photos of women statues, so this is what comes to mind for me personally. I love your writing, it makes me ponder and wonder, read and reread and reflect and it's just great stuff.
I think Chicago would be proud to have your writings grace its city!
Oh, my sticky little hands seems childlike to me, which makes my inner child
laugh in delight! Next time I read my Chicago Newspaper I will think of you.

[Francesca]

Ok!
Never intended to offend, though...just to appreciate your poem:-)
Let's see what I can do!

1.
Glass smashing and flowing, slipping through
my salt fingers
I don't know where the years have gone
just pleasing myself
was not enough,
while sharks were circling around
in the empty sea of bygone lullabies

2.
Again, just jump
into the savannah of half-asleep lions
and feel free of man-made rules

3.
Steel and tears
all around my knees
while looking for a hand to pat
and a lie to unravel


...Never done this before!

[Frank]

excellent first attempt, Francesca

I like them all but right now I like your second one best - it appeals to my sense of touch and my sense of sight

I hope that you try to do more.
Frank

PS - you have inspired me to try some. Thank you for your inspiration.

[Maureen]

Francesca, These are great! You have some great lines here. I love this one: "while sharks were circling around in the empty sea of bygone lullabies."

So glad you shared your writing here!

[Beverly]

I agree with Maureen about the shark imagery. That really grabs me, Your words here, in general, have great emotional appeal to me. Can't wait to see more. You seem to have a natural gift.

[Francesca]

Thank you guys!

It's great to have found you... I'll be back soon, when I am inspired:-)

Looking forward to reading you