Q. What's shorter1 than a short story2? And more elliptical3, layered with symbolism4, and interesting to read aloud5?
A. Why, a poem6.
1In some instances.
2See 1. This obviously excludes epic poems and short-short stories.
3That's an exaggeration, of course; my next post provides an example, and the post after that a counter-example.
4Which isn't strictly necessary to the form, but it's fun when it is.
5To tell the truth, some short stories are much more fun to read aloud than some poems.
6Or not. See 1 through 5.
Anyway, I've been rediscovering poetry in a minor way. My poetry books have been in storage for yonks, and until a few months ago I'd have said I didn't really miss them--but no, I do want that box back after all.
Believe it or not, the US presidential election reminded me of one poet I hadn't read since university. And another came up in an article about strange book titles like The Billionaire's Seductive Party Planner's Gigantic Secret. I won't turn this into a poetry blog (though stranger topics have been known to surface here), but I have two poems to get out of my system before returning to my regularly unscheduled programming.
Stay tuned, true believers.
5 Comments:
Oh goody!
WWBB
Well, how swashbuckling of you to do poetry. And is that a poem up top? Sometimes I can't tell!!! But I am staying tuned!!!
I love Patricia C Wrede's titles in her YA/Childrens series, ie; Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot.
I stopped collecting poems. I have books, but I should collect more local poets works.
There was one from HS-I tool a governor's School workshop with a local poet and all I remember of hers is
stroking me, stroking me, under the poplar.
17? I was TRANSFIXED, I tell you. Burned that line into me wee hormonal brain. ;-)
Tumperkin! Such excitement over at your place! I hope someone will write a flashback to when the bebes were just a pullet in Cesar's eye.
WWBB: White woman baby boomer? What would Bardot brew. We welcome back Babar. We wear brown Birkenstocks. When will Baryshnikov bow. What wonderful Belgian beads. Waiting with bated... nah. With whom bees bond.
CJ, what a poetic soul you have, seeing poetry in footnotes and caveats. Now you mention it, I think I write a lot of poetry that looks like that. I should put it on a really dorky set of magnets and call it fridge doork poetry. You think it's been done? ;)
That's a great story, Eva. I was going to say what a perfect choice of poem for high schoolers, but... well... "Stroking me, stroking me, under the poplar" is sort of burning in my wee brain too. Seventeen forever, apparently.
Interesting stuff - what a wide variety you read and review!
My daughter (age 8) is working on a poetry unit this month. Since I always hated poetry as a kid, I am completely unqualified to help.
in your focus on poetry, any chance you might talk about some that's good for younger kids? (OK, it's a long shot, LOL)
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