Thank you, Don. This piece makes it clearer than ever that a poem's first reader is the poet. I needed the poem's message when it made its way out of me, and I continue to need it now.
I often feel like the cricket. Or the ant. And more often like the squirrel looking for nuts. How happy he is when he finds one. How much I learn from the non-human animals.
I should not forget the birds, who chirp and sing no matter the weather. This is joy as I hear them every morning.
I wish you success with your journeys and safe travels. I have read all of Steinbeck's books and I have found both great understanding and comfort in them.
I think there is tremendous wisdom in those who can have the humility to see things from the perspective of other species, and see them as our cousins with things to teach us, rather than inferior creatures.
Thank you so much for your well wishes. I should revisit Steinbeck someday. I'm sure they would impact me very differently from when I was required to read them in grade school!
In this poem I find the language more abstract than concrete which demands careful reading. After reading this poem three times I am not sure that I got all that it has to offer. But that's the nature of poetry sometimes giving different reading to each reader. One does not have to understand a poem the way one does a piece of prose to appreciate that poem. That is my situation with this here.
Thank you for your valuable take on this piece, Luis. This poem came to me after reading some of the poetry of Joseph Fasano, and is in a similar style, I think. He very often uses the imperative tense (e.g. "Go!"), which strikes me as very powerful if wielded well. He also mixes powerful metaphors from nature, from light and darkness.
I agree with your final statement as well. Poetry does not have to be understood like an essay or even a book. It's music with words, and it's capable of communication on many, many levels. I'm so grateful I discovered its magic when I did, and that my contribution can be meaningful to others.
Thank you as always for your insightful commentary and support!
I love writing them too, when the inspiration strikes! Long poems which are like stories or epic songs are wonderful in their own right. But I am one who loves to focus huge amounts of attention on every word, both in reading and in writing (the two are so similar, after all), so short poems have a special place in my heart. Also explains why I often struggle to finish books, even if they're good.
I guess good poetry makes people slow down to really savour and appreciate it. But in this rushed, attention scarce life, there is something in what you've just said.
The short ones pull a punch, might try one verse again next..
I think we're on the same page, Sea. In this world of infinite instant gratification, it takes extra effort to slow down enough and savor something as "dry" as poetry. But there are tremendous riches awaiting those who put in the effort. If one can learn to appreciate the beauty represented and conveyed by a mere handful of words, it becomes a little easier to expand that appreciation to more and more of life at large, and realize there is nothing to solve, no one to placate, no expectations to live up to. Of course I don't quite mean this literally...hopefully you get my meaning. The gist is to listen to your intuition and do what's right for you and those you love, recognizing that there's no reason to limit your love. Poetry really helps me understand such things in a way that's difficult to explain.
Nice, Mike. This one definitely resonates. I want to ask: Which mountains are in your mind's eye? Because "my" eastern seaboard mountains are certainly curvy, but I think of the western mountains as more angular. Just curious. :)
Great question, Elizabeth, and I'm so touched that this resonated with you!
I actually picture more angular mountains as well, haha. But if you zoom in enough, they're curvy too. As I whittled this piece, I definitely found something very alluring about the curves I mentioned, and perhaps they're more metaphorical to me than literal. (But no reading is wrong.) There's something powerful and intimate about the sunlight kissing the rolling curves in the morning, which hide shadows of doubt and mystery for the sunlight to chase. A loving and playful dance in which no one quite has all the answers, but we rest and delight in that uncertainty. To zoom back out to the bigger message of the poem, I think it's trying to encourage us to be bold and speak our minds, create our art, raise our children...whatever form of creation resonates best with each of us. It is in a celebration of not-knowing that should be so boisterous, rather than hiding in doubt and letting it swallow us.
Yes, there is definitely freedom in letting go of needing to have all the answers. I've been thinking a lot about boldness lately and am not sure where I sit on that one right now. I want to qualify it with "but do no harm." :) Appreciate the added exploration, Mike. Thanks!
Analogies of nature with all living things, including us, are so right on, so beautiful, and so powerful. And all expressed on your artist’s palate of words and sounds, together with their visuals . We are all one there is no separation … and into the cosmos
"Do the mountains resist
the sunrise warming
their shadowed curves
each morning?"
Gorgeous!
That's a really good stanza. It's filled with provocative thoughts.
Thank you, Mary!
So damn good.
Thank you, Patris, for your fountain of kindness.
A supportive and empowering message to those of us who forget to appreciate the warm reward of our creative efforts.
Thank you, Don. This piece makes it clearer than ever that a poem's first reader is the poet. I needed the poem's message when it made its way out of me, and I continue to need it now.
I often feel like the cricket. Or the ant. And more often like the squirrel looking for nuts. How happy he is when he finds one. How much I learn from the non-human animals.
I should not forget the birds, who chirp and sing no matter the weather. This is joy as I hear them every morning.
I wish you success with your journeys and safe travels. I have read all of Steinbeck's books and I have found both great understanding and comfort in them.
I think there is tremendous wisdom in those who can have the humility to see things from the perspective of other species, and see them as our cousins with things to teach us, rather than inferior creatures.
Thank you so much for your well wishes. I should revisit Steinbeck someday. I'm sure they would impact me very differently from when I was required to read them in grade school!
In this poem I find the language more abstract than concrete which demands careful reading. After reading this poem three times I am not sure that I got all that it has to offer. But that's the nature of poetry sometimes giving different reading to each reader. One does not have to understand a poem the way one does a piece of prose to appreciate that poem. That is my situation with this here.
Thank you for your valuable take on this piece, Luis. This poem came to me after reading some of the poetry of Joseph Fasano, and is in a similar style, I think. He very often uses the imperative tense (e.g. "Go!"), which strikes me as very powerful if wielded well. He also mixes powerful metaphors from nature, from light and darkness.
I agree with your final statement as well. Poetry does not have to be understood like an essay or even a book. It's music with words, and it's capable of communication on many, many levels. I'm so grateful I discovered its magic when I did, and that my contribution can be meaningful to others.
Thank you as always for your insightful commentary and support!
I love these short, aphoristic poems that pack so much weight.
I love writing them too, when the inspiration strikes! Long poems which are like stories or epic songs are wonderful in their own right. But I am one who loves to focus huge amounts of attention on every word, both in reading and in writing (the two are so similar, after all), so short poems have a special place in my heart. Also explains why I often struggle to finish books, even if they're good.
You made me Google 'aphoristic', Pete .
I guess good poetry makes people slow down to really savour and appreciate it. But in this rushed, attention scarce life, there is something in what you've just said.
The short ones pull a punch, might try one verse again next..
I think we're on the same page, Sea. In this world of infinite instant gratification, it takes extra effort to slow down enough and savor something as "dry" as poetry. But there are tremendous riches awaiting those who put in the effort. If one can learn to appreciate the beauty represented and conveyed by a mere handful of words, it becomes a little easier to expand that appreciation to more and more of life at large, and realize there is nothing to solve, no one to placate, no expectations to live up to. Of course I don't quite mean this literally...hopefully you get my meaning. The gist is to listen to your intuition and do what's right for you and those you love, recognizing that there's no reason to limit your love. Poetry really helps me understand such things in a way that's difficult to explain.
This is really lovely Mike. The riches that await our expanded worlds. There is very little else needed (within reason)
Intuition is wise, it asks us to open out to good company.
It is difficult to explain, and all these words, as if from beyond, really help.
Nice, Mike. This one definitely resonates. I want to ask: Which mountains are in your mind's eye? Because "my" eastern seaboard mountains are certainly curvy, but I think of the western mountains as more angular. Just curious. :)
Great question, Elizabeth, and I'm so touched that this resonated with you!
I actually picture more angular mountains as well, haha. But if you zoom in enough, they're curvy too. As I whittled this piece, I definitely found something very alluring about the curves I mentioned, and perhaps they're more metaphorical to me than literal. (But no reading is wrong.) There's something powerful and intimate about the sunlight kissing the rolling curves in the morning, which hide shadows of doubt and mystery for the sunlight to chase. A loving and playful dance in which no one quite has all the answers, but we rest and delight in that uncertainty. To zoom back out to the bigger message of the poem, I think it's trying to encourage us to be bold and speak our minds, create our art, raise our children...whatever form of creation resonates best with each of us. It is in a celebration of not-knowing that should be so boisterous, rather than hiding in doubt and letting it swallow us.
Yes, there is definitely freedom in letting go of needing to have all the answers. I've been thinking a lot about boldness lately and am not sure where I sit on that one right now. I want to qualify it with "but do no harm." :) Appreciate the added exploration, Mike. Thanks!
So much to take in. Simply beautiful.
Thank you, Monica!
Analogies of nature with all living things, including us, are so right on, so beautiful, and so powerful. And all expressed on your artist’s palate of words and sounds, together with their visuals . We are all one there is no separation … and into the cosmos
Yes indeed. Thank you so much. Every day poetry teaches me more about how to live harmoniously in this strange universe we find ourselves awake in.
Ohh I can see why this is a fave. It’s spectacular. ‘Breathe your love into the wind” that’s pure magic. 🪄
Thank youuu! Yes I think I’ll start my book with this one.
Perfect!!
Gorgeous! Love the howling of every towering thing.
Thank you so much, Holly!
I see I already clicked like on this poem but I just read it again in Don Boivin's essay this week and I'm struck again but how wonderful the poem is.
Thank you, LeeAnn!!
That is so perfect friend!!! Let me be as a mountain!!!
This is a well thought out poem. For me the best kinds are the ones that stick with you. This one does. Thank you for sharing this piece.
“Doubt is a pain too lonely too know that faith is his twin brother.” KG
this was so beautiful Mike!
I really appreciate you stopping by and letting me know how it hit you, chloe! Means a lot coming from you.