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Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » OPAQUE OR NOT, what do you say?

OPAQUE OR NOT, what do you say? - Brian Strand's Blog

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English experiential poet of open verse& creator of the FOOTLE (singular form)&EMAGI digital reverse ekphrasis.A regular @PS since 2007 ,with 9500+ poems posted&sponsor of 1260 contests ( Amazon books- (500+) reviews)GOOGLE my POETRY BLOGS @https://www.blogger.com/profile/02166493604739619406.Read an Ekphrasis e-book for free @ http://free-ekphrasis-ebook.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPAQUE OR NOT, what do you say?

Blog Posted:3/21/2018 4:10:00 AM

Here below,is an extract from a poem that I came across recently  from US Poet Laureate Billy Collins's 'Introduction to Poetry' which presents a critique on our art form..

I want them to waterski

across the surface of a poem

waving at the author's name on the shore. 

 

But all they want to do

is tie the poem to a chair with rope

and torture a confession out of it.

 

They begin beating it with a hose to find out

what it really means.

The implied critique reminds of the way I was introduced to Shakespeare,and poetry in my school studies in the mid-50's.It put me off the former until I saw a play live on film and off the latter until I had retired ...

Much truth in Billy'sverse..what do you make of it?

UPDATE

YouTube clip of poet reading the poem in its entirety

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lf69NbUlZXk

 

 

 

 



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Strand Avatar
Brian
Strand
Date: 3/23/2018 5:25:00 AM
As a sponsor of 400+contests here on PS clearly 'critique' of sorts has a part to play.My blog profile (above)touches on that aspect in regard to my approach thereto.
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Gregory Richard
Barden
Date: 3/22/2018 4:20:00 AM
(3) I'm not saying there's no need for forms and structure, (quite the opposite), just that poets should be able to do what they wish within AND without, and be given the latitude to express as they see fit, without condemnation or hindrance. I am a traditionalist, but poetic license is as much a part of that as anything else. One guy's silly opinion, is all. ;-)
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 3/23/2018 6:48:00 AM
Amen, Brother.
Strand Avatar
Brian Strand
Date: 3/23/2018 5:21:00 AM
Me, you(and Billy) both Greg.
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Gregory Richard
Barden
Date: 3/22/2018 4:19:00 AM
(2) I enjoy learning, (and learning ABOUT), the various forms and structures, but frankly, when it comes to a poet adhering to any sort of strict standards, well, the lifeblood has already begun draining from the arteries of enjoyment. This IS an art form, this poetry thing, and we are the artists, and AS such creativity should have NO bounds or parameters ... it has been proven endless times over the centuries that boundaries and limits squelch the human spirit and hinder the creative acumen, and art, ALL art, should be expressed freely. (continued)
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Gregory Richard
Barden
Date: 3/22/2018 4:18:00 AM
(1) I often get slammed for this opinion, (especially on FaceBook), but while I enjoy and appreciate poetry critique, (especially my own work, as I have a universe of things to learn), I do not enjoy poetry ANALYSIS, and I believe very strongly that it only serves to defeat the purpose of poetry, and sucks the artistic and emotional marrow out of the art form. For ME personally, (and I can only speak for myself), ANYthing beyond the meaning and emotional impact of poetry - how it affects you or makes you feel - is gold dust tossed to the wind. (continued)
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