Whew. I read, and I listened, I breathed. This is good, really good. For some reason I want to say that this poem is something to "try on," to wrap around my shoulders, to pull up to my chin and take comfort in.
Also, your two-sentence sub-title captures the structure and movement of this poem so well. Well done, Mike Speriosu!
Thanks, Don. That's an amazing response, and quite poetic in itself.
Yeah, it's interesting how Substack encourages (though does not require) these subtitles. Sometimes it's hard to think of what to put there. I often try to come up with something that will get the reader in the right mood and hopefully not spoil the poem itself in some way. The title does that too, but for whatever reason I usually write (or finalize) the title very late in my process. I don't mind if the title is a little mysterious, perhaps something to draw the reader back for a second reading. :)
I enjoy titling, and always do it after I write my essay (I won't say last because there is constant editing right up until pushing that "publish" button).
Substack Writers at Work has a chat where people go for titling help. I've never tried it and don't think I want to. That's my job! But it's interesting to check in once in a while to see the issues people are dealing with.
Anyway, great poem! I hope I didn't imply that your poem was comfortable like a blanket. I really meant that in the reading I felt like it was surrounding me with its substance.
"Eternal Now" was my working title, and only once I realized I was repeating "Right Now" several times did I decide to change it to that, also looking to make it a little more accessible and less expansive, even though I feel quite spiritual about the whole thing, for lack of a better word.
I get nothing but warmth and support from your reaction. To me, a piece of art doesn't have to be "about" comfort to effect a feeling of comfort in the audience.
This was riveting and haunting and poignant and just grabbed me and held me tightly and never let me go, and I can't wait to return to this poem again and again. Showed up somehow in my feed and I'm so grateful it did.
Wow!! Thank you so much for the high praise! It takes a poet to see a poet, so often. I'm so grateful that a random sampling of memories from my life has been so meaningful for you. But of course, few things are truly random at their core. I didn't choose the memories that came to me, but I did my best to do them justice in a way that might resonate.
Aww Marjorie, thank you so much. I had some reservations about my piece because it's so personal to me (they're all real memories I have) that I thought some might find it self-indulgent. And perhaps some will. But I'm so glad you were able to find something to relate to in it.
Yes! Life sometimes really does feel that way. The line between live experience and memory gets blurry. Somehow writing poetry strengthens this effect, as it intensifies so many experiences. Thank you so much for reading.
Mike, this is excellent. There is something that you are doing which is guiding you towards new shapes, ideas, forms, approaches. Whatever that is keep it up.
This one has particularly jumped out at me, you really found something here.
I’m not entirely sure where it’s all headed but I’m having a great time exploring it. Keen folks like you finding meaning in it are the wind in my sails. Thank you for the deeply meaningful comment. Wow.
It's right now and this is like forever, Mike. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Paul. Ever since I wrote that subtitle, I can't get "How Soon is Now?" by The Smiths out of my head. Not a bad thing!
Whew. I read, and I listened, I breathed. This is good, really good. For some reason I want to say that this poem is something to "try on," to wrap around my shoulders, to pull up to my chin and take comfort in.
Also, your two-sentence sub-title captures the structure and movement of this poem so well. Well done, Mike Speriosu!
Thanks, Don. That's an amazing response, and quite poetic in itself.
Yeah, it's interesting how Substack encourages (though does not require) these subtitles. Sometimes it's hard to think of what to put there. I often try to come up with something that will get the reader in the right mood and hopefully not spoil the poem itself in some way. The title does that too, but for whatever reason I usually write (or finalize) the title very late in my process. I don't mind if the title is a little mysterious, perhaps something to draw the reader back for a second reading. :)
I enjoy titling, and always do it after I write my essay (I won't say last because there is constant editing right up until pushing that "publish" button).
Substack Writers at Work has a chat where people go for titling help. I've never tried it and don't think I want to. That's my job! But it's interesting to check in once in a while to see the issues people are dealing with.
Anyway, great poem! I hope I didn't imply that your poem was comfortable like a blanket. I really meant that in the reading I felt like it was surrounding me with its substance.
"Eternal Now" was my working title, and only once I realized I was repeating "Right Now" several times did I decide to change it to that, also looking to make it a little more accessible and less expansive, even though I feel quite spiritual about the whole thing, for lack of a better word.
I get nothing but warmth and support from your reaction. To me, a piece of art doesn't have to be "about" comfort to effect a feeling of comfort in the audience.
Thanks for your continued support, Don.
Maybe the subtitle option was originally made available for long-form writers, rather than for poets or poetry.
Very possible. I do leave it blank sometimes.
I usually leave it blank but I have found it useful for including information when reposting a past piece.
This was riveting and haunting and poignant and just grabbed me and held me tightly and never let me go, and I can't wait to return to this poem again and again. Showed up somehow in my feed and I'm so grateful it did.
Wow!! Thank you so much for the high praise! It takes a poet to see a poet, so often. I'm so grateful that a random sampling of memories from my life has been so meaningful for you. But of course, few things are truly random at their core. I didn't choose the memories that came to me, but I did my best to do them justice in a way that might resonate.
Your subtitle is the bow on this gift of a poem. ✍️🎁📝 Yesterday and eternity continue to comingle for me. Beautiful piece 😊
Aww Marjorie, thank you so much. I had some reservations about my piece because it's so personal to me (they're all real memories I have) that I thought some might find it self-indulgent. And perhaps some will. But I'm so glad you were able to find something to relate to in it.
The best writing is personal. Keep going.
Thank you so much, Lizzy. You rock.
I really like this--the feeling that it's all happening at once.
Yes! Life sometimes really does feel that way. The line between live experience and memory gets blurry. Somehow writing poetry strengthens this effect, as it intensifies so many experiences. Thank you so much for reading.
Thought-provoking, gut-wrenching, and vulnerable. Fantastic.
Thank you for those wonderful adjectivals!
Mike, this is excellent. There is something that you are doing which is guiding you towards new shapes, ideas, forms, approaches. Whatever that is keep it up.
This one has particularly jumped out at me, you really found something here.
I’m not entirely sure where it’s all headed but I’m having a great time exploring it. Keen folks like you finding meaning in it are the wind in my sails. Thank you for the deeply meaningful comment. Wow.
Beautiful, Mike. A timeline of Now.
Thank you so much, Jonathan. It means a lot coming from such a skilled poet.