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Who Reads Poetry

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Who reads poetry but poets in search of words to fuel a stalling pen, a rambling crowd of self-appointed scholars absorbing thoughts, then thinking them again? Perhaps we’re just conversing with ourselves, round and round in a great verbose echo, because who reads poetry but poets, who, being poets, already know ?

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L. J. Carber

Date: 1/18/2021 9:04:00 AM

Painfully ironic! Is that why I've made starvation wages the past few years since going 'pro'? Hmmm...Of course, wasn't always so--in 1850 Longfellow sold a poem for $3,000.--adjusted for gold-price inflation, that's $270,000 today [a $20 gold piece had nearly one oz. of gold]. Did people have deeper souls back then? Still, your words came into my mind, and I call that a miracle of human transcendence. [p.s. love the tonal quality of your voice, and the accent doesn't hurt!]

John Watt

Date: 4/5/2020 8:36:00 PM

I adore this, Nina! A poem about poets writing poetry for poets "absorbing thoughts then thinking them again". Ha! It all feels so (sadly) true. Enjoyed the shape and superimposing the text in the thought bubble over the poetry book. All so clever. And the best part: hearing you read it! Great voice, great creation, a fave ~ John

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/5/2020 1:20:00 PM

that was darling, nina. To hear your voice (again??) Had this recording always been here? If so, I must have subconsciously remembered it was nothing like that silly song at your blog the other day. haha!!

Nina Parmenter
Date: 4/5/2020 1:24:00 PM

I did put a voice track on another poem about a year ago. Yes my West Country accent is just a twang. It’s the way I say perhaaaaps! X

Phyllis Babcock

Date: 3/14/2020 11:48:00 AM

Love this as my son tells me who reads your poems and that I write it only for myself. love phyl

Nina Parmenter
Date: 3/14/2020 11:50:00 AM

Ah, we read your poems! But then again, we’re poets... ;-D

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/4/2020 7:56:00 PM

Definitely what to think about here... Of course, who reads history? People who who are history buffs --- much as poetry buffs read poetry... In the buff --- reading...

Nina Parmenter
Date: 3/5/2020 1:04:00 AM

I think you revealed too much there... ;-)

CayCay Jennings

Date: 3/2/2020 10:50:00 AM

Oh, that poetry wonderment that circles and never lands within a poet, at least this poet (I guess I may call myself that.) You summed it up and shaped it just as it circles in my mind. Love your pen, my friend. Poetry hugs ... CayCay

Nina Parmenter
Date: 3/5/2020 1:03:00 AM

Thank you CayCay!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 2/28/2020 8:40:00 PM

Good point Nina, truth is not many do, I think many prefer to listen to it though. My family read the odd one I write , had to laugh once when my daughter said but dad it doesn't rhyme lol, before I joined here I thought it had to. Very creative layout. Tom

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/29/2020 4:45:00 AM

Thanks Tom! At least your daughter's taking notice lol!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/28/2020 8:00:00 PM

so SADLY true, Nina. And even worse, we have to read a LOT of poets to get just a few of them to read us back. ho ho ho. Tis truly a lost art except for us knuckleheads out here promoting it. Love this.

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/29/2020 4:44:00 AM

"Knuckleheads" - never thought of us like that lol!!!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 2/28/2020 4:16:00 PM

I am laughing because I have often thought exactly this, and you nailed it. I know no people in my "real life" who read poetry except my husband who faithfully reads every one of my poems, but maybe no one elses.

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 4:49:00 PM

Oh, my husband does ’like’ stuff I put on my blog. He knows what’s good for him :-)

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 4:48:00 PM

Hahaha I don’t think even my husband bothers! He can tell me if he reads this :-) I have some nice friends who follow my poetry blog. I love them for it!

Sandra Adams

Date: 2/28/2020 11:07:00 AM

so true are your words... love the shape of this one it drew me right in... your words kept me here... brilliant penning! :)

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 11:39:00 AM

Thank you very much Sandy :-) The shape was slightly unintentional. When I’d written it, I thought, hmmm, if I find some longer words for line two, that could make a speech bubble! Hence ‘self-appointed scholars’ - that’s quite a lot of bang for six syllables! :-)

Daniel Turner

Date: 2/28/2020 11:06:00 AM

Although I do read the poems of others, I understand why some don't. It's true reading will stimulate your muse but it also contaminates the thought process., Someone else's ideas, words, that are flowing through your brain can sometimes unintentionally wind up on the page. (IMO) Subliminal suggestions. Very thought provoking write, Nina.

Daniel Turner
Date: 2/28/2020 3:27:00 PM

You would probably be amazed how many people have been inspired by your words. Most poets are meticulous in describing items, thoughts, feelings, etc...removing all clouds for an open mind. Subjecting them to our every whim. That's what poets do, aspire to inspire:)

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 11:36:00 AM

I think it’s a bit mad to avoid reading others’ work altogether. I definitely let myself be influenced by styles more than themes. It’s how you grow as a poet. I do wonder how much of my work is unintentionally ‘recycled’ though!

JAN ALLISON

Date: 2/28/2020 11:03:00 AM

Bravo Nina - but I no way am I a scholar more like an intellectual dunce lwith my poop poems but i do use the work of others to inspire me' Of course we have to be careful not to inadvertently plagiarise - a line 'we' come up with may be something we read elsewhere. Hugs Jan xx

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 11:29:00 AM

A poet here recently let me know that one of my lines had inadvertently popped up in one of his poems. Actually the context was very different to mine so I didn’t mind at all. I was flattered really. It wasn’t deliberate plagiarism, more accidental sampling. I enjoy being inspired by the work of others. For example, I often try to give my lims punny titles in honour of you!!

Eric Ashford

Date: 2/28/2020 9:47:00 AM

Looks like our two poems reflect each other a bit today Nina! Good write.

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 9:50:00 AM

Ha! Me with my rambling crowd, you with your talking fish! I see what you mean ;-)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 2/28/2020 9:39:00 AM

I believe you are right. I think the world needs more poets. Hugs Rick.

Nina Parmenter
Date: 2/28/2020 9:50:00 AM

And more readers. Lots more readers. :-)