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On Poems I Cannot Understand

Poems come in all shapes and sizes
Forms and formats, types, and themes
Comes a question that invariably arises
What about mere consciousness streams?

Must all poems have rhythm and rhyme?
I’ve seen collections of words appearing
Which require inordinate study over time,
Never revealing any message endearing.

I asked the poet, “What does this mean?”
“What are you saying?” --worthy of space?
Precisely what is the lesson I can glean?
And the poet will tell me, to save face,

“A brand-new form, I call it ‘modernistic’”
Poetry, to be sure, but incredibly obscure
I would not hesitate to label it anachronistic,
For I’ve never seen anything like it before!

Written October 16, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 10/17/2022 12:28:00 AM I usually skip those poems " but I see you are trying to do them a favor.... I would not hesitate to label it anachronistic," and I admire you for it. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 10/17/2022 8:07:00 AM Thanks. We have some of that garbage here on the Soup, and I skip right over it, too.

Michael Tor Date: 10/16/2022 4:56:00 PM I can relate to this Milton well said and written... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 10/16/2022 5:44:00 PM Thank you, Michael. I didn't have anyone in particular in mind when I wrote this, but I've run across some "stuff" on Poetry Soup that would qualify...and on a regular basis!

Sand Blown Date: 10/16/2022 3:36:00 PM ...in one sense...it is uncommon to stand- under (read from bottom up)...to under-stand a poem....somtimes it works..... stans sand Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 10/16/2022 5:45:00 PM Perhaps, sand blown. I've never tried that!

Tom Cunningham Date: 10/16/2022 11:38:00 AM I've come across a few of those in my time and I wonder did I miss something. If the reader can't understand it then I think it's a pointless exercise writing it in the first place. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 10/16/2022 12:08:00 PM You know, Tom, that is certainly true. But, on the other hand, I had read entire poems whose words were beautifully chosen and a joy to read that I didn't understand at all. I always suppose my mind simply doesn't work like the poet's.

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 10/16/2022 10:59:00 AM Hello Milton, if I have seen a poem like that, i would read it. If I do not understand the poem , I would not commennt on it. The reason i do not understand the poem. Enjoy your day my friend. Login to Reply Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 10/17/2022 3:11:00 PM Helo Milton, You are welcome .Enjoy your evening myfriend. L Milton Hankins Date: 10/16/2022 11:10:00 AM Thank you so much, Darlene, for your observation on my poem.