02-17-2022, 10:47 PM
Hey Paul- thanks for the questions, to re-center this discussion within a poetry forum.
My question for everyone is how does all of this relate to poetry?
Having written the poem that led to this extensive thread I must say that it led to an interesting dog leg. I did not expect the poem to have that effect, but that's what happens. Had I not added the spoiler, I doubt that the poem would've generated the reaction that it did. Note to self: lay off the spoilers and let the poem speak for itself. So, "all of this" was not really even related to the actual poem. If you knew me in "real life" you would quickly find that I'm easily drawn into protracted discussions. And I definitely got sucked in.
Does a poet's worldview have an impact on the profundity of their writing?
Since my worldview is always a part of my thinking it can't help but influence my writing. I don't strive for profundity, and find that going for a "BIG IDEA" is usually counter-productive.
Is there such a thing as inspired work?
I definitely sense times when thoughts/observations come to mind, and words begin to form around them. Many, if not most, times, those words collapse in a heap. The simplest thoughts, the ones based on actual events or observations, seem to hold up the best. So, yes, inspiration is a very real thing for me.
Are all our silly love songs just ridiculous now that we know they're built on nothing more than electricity and pheromones?
I never consider the neurolological basis for songs or poems that I write. So, no, "silly" love songs or poems are not ridiculous. Some are better than others, though. I can usually tell when I'm on to a good idea. Many times, the best songs, or poems I write just seem to pop out of nowhere. (See "inspired work").
Why write at all if we are not experiencing something extraordinary? (or paranormal, as Rowens put it.)
Fortunately, I am "lucky" enough to sense the extraordinary in the most ordinary of things. I know many, many people who are also as "lucky". It is within these ordinary events and observations that we share common ground. That we relate with each other. Or, sometimes, not.
Still, I write poems and songs simply because it feels necessary for me. Sometimes I need it more than other times. I never know when a regular ole ordinary thing will bubble to the surface, but I latch onto it when it does. Most of the time, I may only write down a single thought, a stick picture, a post-it-note. Sometimes I even call myself a post-it-note poet. Other times I'll spend way too much time to whittle on an entire piece. It's during those times that time itself falls away, and I do find those times to be extraordinary. Even when "nothing" comes of them. Maybe, especially when "nothing" comes of them.
My question for everyone is how does all of this relate to poetry?
Having written the poem that led to this extensive thread I must say that it led to an interesting dog leg. I did not expect the poem to have that effect, but that's what happens. Had I not added the spoiler, I doubt that the poem would've generated the reaction that it did. Note to self: lay off the spoilers and let the poem speak for itself. So, "all of this" was not really even related to the actual poem. If you knew me in "real life" you would quickly find that I'm easily drawn into protracted discussions. And I definitely got sucked in.
Does a poet's worldview have an impact on the profundity of their writing?
Since my worldview is always a part of my thinking it can't help but influence my writing. I don't strive for profundity, and find that going for a "BIG IDEA" is usually counter-productive.
Is there such a thing as inspired work?
I definitely sense times when thoughts/observations come to mind, and words begin to form around them. Many, if not most, times, those words collapse in a heap. The simplest thoughts, the ones based on actual events or observations, seem to hold up the best. So, yes, inspiration is a very real thing for me.
Are all our silly love songs just ridiculous now that we know they're built on nothing more than electricity and pheromones?
I never consider the neurolological basis for songs or poems that I write. So, no, "silly" love songs or poems are not ridiculous. Some are better than others, though. I can usually tell when I'm on to a good idea. Many times, the best songs, or poems I write just seem to pop out of nowhere. (See "inspired work").
Why write at all if we are not experiencing something extraordinary? (or paranormal, as Rowens put it.)
Fortunately, I am "lucky" enough to sense the extraordinary in the most ordinary of things. I know many, many people who are also as "lucky". It is within these ordinary events and observations that we share common ground. That we relate with each other. Or, sometimes, not.
Still, I write poems and songs simply because it feels necessary for me. Sometimes I need it more than other times. I never know when a regular ole ordinary thing will bubble to the surface, but I latch onto it when it does. Most of the time, I may only write down a single thought, a stick picture, a post-it-note. Sometimes I even call myself a post-it-note poet. Other times I'll spend way too much time to whittle on an entire piece. It's during those times that time itself falls away, and I do find those times to be extraordinary. Even when "nothing" comes of them. Maybe, especially when "nothing" comes of them.