Standing at the window, Thalia watches light dance on frost covered branches and blades of grass. “I toooo-ld yah saving the seed head was werrrr-th-why-lll!” “We can’t mail it.” Nia’s logic jumps quicker than Jack Be Nimble. “It’ll fall apart — and gum up the mail machines. Do YOU want to be responsible for packages not arriving in time for Christmas?”
Many years ago I came across an article about metaphor. At the time, the concepts therein were a revelation of understanding.
I wish I could link us to it.
I'd love to read it again.
Alas... I cannot find it.
😱
In my searching, I did find this... (my words)
I used to HATE poetry. I found it ambiguous and confusing — with too many loose ends.
One day… somebody commented on one of my written pieces… “You write like a poet.”
“Say what?!”
Here is my current understanding of a poet/poetry.
A poet does not tell you what to think. A poet encourages you to think for yourself… employing metaphor as a tool.
A poet TRUSTS you.
I’m still a work in progress… often wanting life’s lessons handed to me in a neat and tidy package, but I continue to dance with the confidence to figure things out for myself.
Interesting thoughts about poetry, Gail. I hate most poetry, too, although I've been looking for "accessible" poetry, meaning that I don't have to work too hard to understand what the hell the poet is trying to say, (i.e., encouraging me to think about). Perhaps you are a poet, writing poetry I don't hate. ❤️
A friend of a friend nailed me, How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons) by Barbara Kingsolver. The first word on the cover is “Poetry”.
I read a poem or two per day. I love her language and use of metaphor. It is the first time I recall resonating with poetry to the level I felt I might be able to call myself a poet.
I’ve brushed into a number of descriptions of what a poet is…
most recently in Finite and Infinite games by James P. Carse. He posits that poetry is the language of the infinite player… one who wants to keep the game going. A poem is an object to be studied, not an act to be learned… it is about the journey rather than the destination.
May I have this dance? Or the next one?! Metaphorically speaking, of course. Is a dance possible between a real poet you) and a follower? Or is that just trip hazard...
I guess I wonder how this fellow, with his obscure humor, fidgety jukebox, and encyclopedic replies could be a dancer. More like riding a Tilt-A-Whirl at the fair. In all fairness...
And some would simply call this Tilt-A-Whirl harmonic convergence mere happenstance. 😉 I might have to sit out the next dance. Rickety legs and all that. Joyful.
That is one fantabulous togoggan? Beanie? Watch cap? (A search for correct headwear terminology was illuminating. Oddly, the "sources" claim that we Southerners use the term "toboggan" for the hat! Very odd as few Southerners have ever seen a ridable toboggan much less ridden one. Growing up in PA that was not a hat name we used. I did enjoy more than a few toboggan rides. With a few rides to compact newly fallen fluffy snow, the track resulted in decent speeds.
With my propensity for rabbit holes, of course I searched for Mr. Card, a writer with at least 6 pen names, even a woman's. I discovered he's the great, great, grandson of Brigham Young. And much more to read. Guess what? Some have criticized his works (of which there are plenty)! To me that's a sign of a good writer.
Last, I once again appreciated how the spirit of teamwork and community turned what at first seemed like disagreement into harmony. That's the Spirit!
A note from Loveletterist:
Many years ago I came across an article about metaphor. At the time, the concepts therein were a revelation of understanding.
I wish I could link us to it.
I'd love to read it again.
Alas... I cannot find it.
😱
In my searching, I did find this... (my words)
I used to HATE poetry. I found it ambiguous and confusing — with too many loose ends.
One day… somebody commented on one of my written pieces… “You write like a poet.”
“Say what?!”
Here is my current understanding of a poet/poetry.
A poet does not tell you what to think. A poet encourages you to think for yourself… employing metaphor as a tool.
A poet TRUSTS you.
I’m still a work in progress… often wanting life’s lessons handed to me in a neat and tidy package, but I continue to dance with the confidence to figure things out for myself.
Interesting thoughts about poetry, Gail. I hate most poetry, too, although I've been looking for "accessible" poetry, meaning that I don't have to work too hard to understand what the hell the poet is trying to say, (i.e., encouraging me to think about). Perhaps you are a poet, writing poetry I don't hate. ❤️
A friend of a friend nailed me, How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons) by Barbara Kingsolver. The first word on the cover is “Poetry”.
I read a poem or two per day. I love her language and use of metaphor. It is the first time I recall resonating with poetry to the level I felt I might be able to call myself a poet.
I’ve brushed into a number of descriptions of what a poet is…
most recently in Finite and Infinite games by James P. Carse. He posits that poetry is the language of the infinite player… one who wants to keep the game going. A poem is an object to be studied, not an act to be learned… it is about the journey rather than the destination.
I will check out that book. Thanks for the suggestion!
Quite different in style… it kinda reads like board game instructions. 🤭
Hmm. Well, I requested it from the library so I'll find out for myself!
That's the best way!!!
May I have this dance? Or the next one?! Metaphorically speaking, of course. Is a dance possible between a real poet you) and a follower? Or is that just trip hazard...
Of course it’s possible! The dance is the I/Thou that happens in conversation/connectication/comments. 💃🏼🕺
I guess I wonder how this fellow, with his obscure humor, fidgety jukebox, and encyclopedic replies could be a dancer. More like riding a Tilt-A-Whirl at the fair. In all fairness...
Yet a sense of I/Thou continues. Grateful. 😊
The Tilt-A-Whirl was my favorite ride at Bay Beach!
https://greenbaywi.gov/445/Bay-Beach
And some would simply call this Tilt-A-Whirl harmonic convergence mere happenstance. 😉 I might have to sit out the next dance. Rickety legs and all that. Joyful.
That is one fantabulous togoggan? Beanie? Watch cap? (A search for correct headwear terminology was illuminating. Oddly, the "sources" claim that we Southerners use the term "toboggan" for the hat! Very odd as few Southerners have ever seen a ridable toboggan much less ridden one. Growing up in PA that was not a hat name we used. I did enjoy more than a few toboggan rides. With a few rides to compact newly fallen fluffy snow, the track resulted in decent speeds.
With my propensity for rabbit holes, of course I searched for Mr. Card, a writer with at least 6 pen names, even a woman's. I discovered he's the great, great, grandson of Brigham Young. And much more to read. Guess what? Some have criticized his works (of which there are plenty)! To me that's a sign of a good writer.
Last, I once again appreciated how the spirit of teamwork and community turned what at first seemed like disagreement into harmony. That's the Spirit!
My first thought…
How is he seeing a sled?! It’s clearly a hat!
Then I kept reading. 👍🏻
It is one thing to hear, even to say, “Oh! It’s okay if people don’t like me/my work,” — and something else entirely to believe it.
Having hailed from a long history of people pleasing and going along to get along, it has taken many steps to arrive at such confidence.
That said… I am grateful for Cal who can find common ground with anybody who is willing to do same.