Tuesday, March 6, 2018
FIRST DAY OF THE POETRY CLASS I'M NOT TEACHING
Stop looking for the
pretty word
and start looking for the
relevant one
there are so many pretty words
blocking the sun
and the cold light of day
I'm 'bout to choke on the perfume
get over the sweet sickness
of wanting to make pretty words
and come to your senses
there are five of them
(six if you ask Bruce Willis)
and you can use them all
do ya hear me?
do ya see what I'm sayin?
are ya sniffin' out my meaning?
you can almost taste it now, right?
(has this touched you in any way?)
cuz nobody writes like you
when you sayin' things that have a meaning
and not just a sound
nobody else can do it
egg-zachly like you
and that's the beauty of it, pardner
right there
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Anyone with a good thesaurus (or access to the internet) can find pretty words.Finding one's own real words - that's where the magic is.
ReplyDeleteEgg-zachly! Finding one's own voice is what it's about.
DeleteI like how you not teach your class on writing poetry. Any hack like me can use pretty words. A real poet uses truthful words.
ReplyDeleteToni Spencer is KanzenToni
Hey, Toni...thanks for the truth bomb!
DeleteTo find the meaning is what counts... (though I have to say I use the thesaurus every now and then)
ReplyDeleteWe all do that, I'm sure. But at that point you already have your meaning, you're just looking for the right word to convey it. It's within the rules (my rules--lol)
DeletePretty words are lovely, but lived words hold power. And we all know that poetry without power is just word vomit (even when it doesn't smell as bad).
ReplyDelete"Word vomit"--I like that!
DeleteRight on!!!
ReplyDeleteFar out!!! (Thanks, Rosemary)
DeleteAmen, brother!
ReplyDeleteThis is poetry... so get real.
Let's start a "get real movement" Kerry :)
Deleterelevant - not pretty! I agree - if it is too flowery and says "nothing" than it is boring...
ReplyDeleteYou right...yu right!
Deletelove the title and the poem as an open letter to all the poets out there
ReplyDelete__ I read very old books. Often I'll remember, then perhaps use some old discarded words that are not now in common use; words that now may reside in tophet. _m
ReplyDeleteAs in "tophet"--lol
ReplyDeleteI agree. Authentic writing/expression is the only type worth lending attention to. That is why I never hear a word the politicians or the lawyers say.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best comparison I can think of--ha ha. Thanks, Amaya!
DeleteWhat if you like the pretty words, clever words and vintage words? What if you can't help yourself? Help...me...lol! Very nice.
ReplyDeletePretty words are like splashing on cologne or perfume. A little is okay...too much and people will avoid you--lol Seriously, though, I hear what you're saying, Bekkie...the pretty word inserted at just the right time can give me goosebumps :) But it's like cake and ice cream...ya gotta know when to stop!
Delete