Le Mot Juste

Poet's Notes

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Author’s Notes: "Le Mot Juste" is a thought-piece poem I put together here originally on February 3, 2015 to give all of us as practicing poets a moment to reflect on what we're trying to achieve when we write poetry, and to consider the importance of using "the right word" or words as we all work very hard in crafting our poetry. This poem is not meant to lecture or teach at all, it's merely my opinion and my view of the importance that words play in "what we say" and in "how we say it." Perhaps this poem will help give a pause to reflect on how each of us approaches the task of writing the best prose and poetry possible. If anyone out there in the greater PoetrySoup audience has any additional ideas, please -- by all means -- feel free to chime in. (Gary Bateman - April 28, 2015) (Narrative Quatrain)

Categories: allegory, assonance, imagery, metaphor, poetry, symbolism, and writing.

Le Mot Juste The right word indeed is what we poets always seek As we use our imaginations in finding and identifying A theme of interest and one that allows us to work and To weave a tapestry of poetic virtue and enchantment. The right word for the sake of poetic discussion can be A singular word, two or three words, or even a group of Words; yet it is how the word or words are placed in Verses which account for proper emphasis and nuance. The right word gives us that certain image or metaphor So necessary as we dexterously process artistic thoughts Which meld into verses conveying a wondrous message To our readers yearning for the magic that poetry brings. The right word often sets the tone and tenor of each verse And as we consider the desired effect of each verse as it Flows and follows or interlocks with the other verses in A poem—the tone and tenor attributes are quite important. Using the right word impacts what we say and how we say It and how our poetic thoughts may or may not be correctly Understood, which means “Words Count” always—and we Poets should consider their effect in portraying our message. Le Mot Juste in the French language very exquisitely means “The Right Word” and seemed appropriate as the title for this Poem to emphasize the critical nature of using the right word As we poets seek to make our thoughts known to the public. Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved – April 28, 2015 (Narrative Quatrain) *The poem appears in my new poetry book with a release date of February 3, 2015.