So what's up with your poetry?

[WickedEve]

What's new with your poetry, lately? Have you been pleased with what you're writing? Are you trying different forms or reading different poets for inspiration? Is there any particular topic that your writing has been focused on? War? Love?

This is just my way of catching up and seeing what everyone is up to. I know one poet recently mentioned being published. I won't say who since I'm not sure if this person has mentioned it on the board.

I'm only writing when I get chance and that's not much lately. When I do get a chance I'm trying to write more the way I used to. I want to be more relaxed with my writing again and I want to focus on my family in my poetry. There are so many wonderful stories and inspirations there.

I also want to say that many of you here have been a huge on influence on my poetry. Angeline, sp, SJ, Lauren, Rybka, Judo and others. And I'm really glad I met you guys.

Eve

 

[Angeline]

Eve my dear friend,

when I came to this board, you and a few others (e.g., JUDO, smithpeter, Daughter, kdog) were the glue that held it together. I've learned so much from you all and the others who've joined us since.

More than a few people have said to me--and I believe this--that we are like a family here, and the women especially (the core of us who have become so close even though we've never met) make this a good place to be. Don't be insulted now, you poet men, I love you too and you know it, but I bet you understand.

I'm trying hard to establish myself as a writer--one who earns her living writing for herself instead of giving it away to corporate types who pay big bucks but make my soul feel deadened. I left that world--walked away from a big "career" (much to the horror of my family and friends) to do this. Now I freelance edit enough to pay the bills, but spend most of my time reading, studying, and writing.

Guess what? I'm a much happier person now. I don't have the money to buy every flashy doohickey I or my kids see, but who needs all that stuff, right? I don't, and I'm convinced my kids will be better people for having to work for what they really want.

I'm starting to write short stories now, too, and I know I have at least one novel in me. I want very much to keep writing about jazz and jazz people, too, which I see as a metaphor for the best and worst of American culture in the 20th century--a subject that endlessly fascinates me. I started (months ago) to write a play about Lester Young--I want to finish it.

I may even teach again--just some adjunct writing classes if I can get the work. I'm really committed to staying out of the corporate world.

I was reading recently how though it's good to try many styles of poetry, every writer has some form or type where her voice is strong and clear. When I came to this board, the folks who love traditional form held sway. I tried to do that. I can write a damn decent sonnet now (well Elizabethan) and even a vilanelle (though not, according to most, a particularly good one, lol). For me though traditional form is ultimately too restrictive. I need to create my own forms.

My "type" is the poem that tells a story, whether it's about family or some jazz person or whatever. I have always loved the dramatic monologues of Robert Browning and other poets who are more concrete. When I go abstract, it doesn't work. (Waiting for Senna to swoop into thread and say that's because it's not poetry! Are you happy, Senna? You finally managed to do it--insert your voice into my mind, instructing me.)

Eve, you have a great gift--you are so creative in so many ways, such a talented writer. I think your "type" is narrative, too. When you write poems about family and events in your world, you blow me away with your powerful voice and detailed imagery. I don't mean to presume, but I sure hope you continue writing them.

P.S. This may all be moot, though, because of my other theory, which is that eventually we all--here and elsewhere--will be working for Lauren.

 

[WickedEve]

hee hee... as soon as I posted this I knew you would be the first to reply. Angeline, you always have lots to say. lol

Ange, I know you'll make it as a writer. Write a book (and sign it) and I'll buy it. I really think, some day, you could end up being known as a great Jazz poet.

"I need to create my own forms." I like this. I too have felt this way lately.

I don't want to work for Lauren. She's always toting that darn gun around and being very intimidating. "Yes, Ms. Lauren. Whatever you say, Ms. Lauren."

 

[Kate.E]

I wouldn't work for her either.
She treats me like a slave as it is.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Almost one year ago, I met Angeline. That was the first real contact I ever had with poetry. Till then I had never read much poetry (despite devouring almost every other form of written expression) and any attempts at writing it were locked away with my high-school notebooks. Watery Dreams In A Midsummer Night and Solely were recovered from that time and, in hindsight, it wasn't all bad.

I'm a quick learner, though, and a devoted student, and since I started frequenting this board my entire outlook on art has changed. I've matured and that has reflected in my work not only here but mostly in my own area. It has given me a sense of purpose and the tool to evaluate my environment and my impact on the world. I can and do more and more with less time. I'm focused. I've grown.

From Angeline I got the appreciation for poetry. Her lessons and friendship have been inestimable and brought me here in the first place. From Judo I learned to value form; that would be enough of a gift even if it hadn't been for all the things that make her so special (read: freak ) not only to me but to all of us. Eve has taught me how to break away from form and norm and how much fun poetry and poets can be. Smithpeter has repeatedly shown me how to break through all conventional thought, how to reach deep for the exact image. K-dog, Senna, Rybka, OT, you've all contributed to what I am today (so, there's no point in squabbling over it).

My type of poetry: surely it isn't narrative, at least not in the conventional manner. I always try not to stick for too long with a theme, form or style--it also comes with being at once a fast learner and a slow writer. Variety is important, and my main goal is to learn, but I'd say that most of my poems, or at least the ones I feel are more successful, tend to capture moments instead of stories, and hopefully carry an underlying message that transcends that moment and which the reader will find if s/he cares to peel through the layers. Maybe it can be said I'm a surreal landscape artist. That would do, for now.

It's getting progressively harder to really enjoy what I write, nowadays. Mostly because I haven't felt terribly motivated to write poetry for the last couple of months, but I'm sure it's only a dry spell. I'm channelling my creative juices elsewhere: my architecture, painting, drawing; I have one story nearly finished and I'm entertaining the idea of another two or three, and have every intention of testing myself as a prose writer. Poetry just isn't my top priority right now, but I'm happy with it.


As for my evil schemes of world domination, Eve, it would be wise to follow Kate's lead and capitulate now.

 

[karmadog]

I'm not writing any poetry. I don't have the time or the energy, let alone the talent and inclination.

However, I'm writing in the next most compressed form, the short story, and I've learned a great deal from the people here. smithpeter in particular makes me think a little different when I'm considering symbolism, metaphor, and simile. I think that has helped me a great deal.

Another thing that I've been expending a great deal of mental energy on is codifying or, at least, verbalising what I think a short story is. I know that it's something more than just a short novel, although I've come across a couple of things advertised as short stories that fit that description. In my opinion, those tales are just radically underdeveloped novels or novellas.

It turns out that many of the ideas that I had rolling around in my head are echoed by Senna's theories on poetry. One day, I hope to be able to do for the short story what SJ has been doing on these boards for poetry. Of course, poetry is not just a compressed short story, but it's interesting to think about why it is not.

Anyhow, I've picked up inspiration and ideas from damn near every regular and some of the not so regulars on this board. So, thanks, kids, you're the best.


PS I know, 'Yaaak, yak yakyakyak.' I'll shut up now.

 

[Angeline]

YadaYada

Angeline, you always have lots to say. lol

You know it baby. I'm a motormouth (motorpen?) from way back. What did you call me that one time? I'm trying to remember. An opinionated hussy? lol

 

[WickedEve]

Re: YadaYada

You know it baby. I'm a motormouth (motorpen?) from way back. What did you call me that one time? I'm trying to remember. An opinionated hussy? lol

Uh, yeah, I called you some kind of hussy--probably opinionated. Or maybe it was beautiful hussy! Yeah, that's it.

 

[OT]

I think I've settled down to a more controlled "write if I have something to say, else not" mentality.

I'm comfortable being a wordsmith, poetry still frightens me (oddly enough, although I'm sure it frightens me, I am still not sure what it is).

In terms of different forms, I'm trying to edge away from wordsmithing and more towards "poetry".

Don't get me wrong, you'll still see me posting moderately clever little rhyming things alongside mildly amusing alliteration, and to the dismay of many, I've no doubt a couple or few all-tell-no-show rants left in me.

When I grow up, I want to write something good.

 

[Angeline]

OT!

When I grow up, I want to write something good.

You mean like this?