A more "literal and visceral" poetry

[CharleyH]

I try to keep my feelers out for emerging poetic forms (because I'm fascinated) and this article from Al Jazeera caught my eye this morning. First, I have to say 'wow' to all writers with courage enough to write a poem in any country that would send a person to the equivalent of hell for a wrongly published word. It reminds me how lucky all of us (or most of us), who are able to share and publish our poetry or even access Lit, are.

I don't think this is new. It might be new for poets in Syria and I laud them. Still, in our own comfort world, how do you feel about a poetry (erotic or non) that is more graphic in nature than semiotic?

 

[butters]

from the link:

"I bandage my heart with the determination of that boy / they hit with an electric stick on his only kidney until he urinated blood. / Yet he returned and walked in the next demonstration… / I bandage it with the outcry: 'Death and not humiliation.'"

Another by Youssef Bou Yihea titled "I am a Syrian", declares: "My sect is the scent of my homeland, the soil after the rain, and my Syria is my only religion."

But although Syrian writers are still in grave danger, fear no longer controls their work. Violence is so pervasive in Syria that silence is no longer seen as a road to safety.

turbulent times, powerful writing - and to live in such fear each day is incomprehensible to those of us who've led relatively peaceful lives.

wars, atrocity . . . they bring out the visceral writings of the contemporary poets. you only have to look at the work of wilfred owen.

how do i feel about it? well-written, it moves me to simple mental and emotional anguish. it's the kind of poetry i feel i have to read, but only from time to time as it tends to leave its shadows behind way after the read. some, of course, is also joyous and uplifting in its bravery and faith in humanity. above all else, it should be read, be heard, and thank goodness the social media of the 21st century can provide an outlet for the voices.

thankyou, charley, for posting that link. it's important stuff, i feel.

 

[UnderYourSpell]

It led me onwards in a strange way to look at other conflicts, to my own past, the Iceni tribe. So these people that are now suffering to have their own voices heard join the ranks of many who have gone before and will not be silenced.