Feedback Wanted - Charles Henderson's Blog

I just put on a poem for our Debbie G. Some comments brought up raised questions I'd like to throw out for some conversation.

After putting on a poem "my pocket knife". I do see a difference in saying a knife as opposed to saying a pocket knife, but realize that some of the more recent generations would not use that connotation, simply from the stigma of using knives harmfully. There isn't much use for a knife these days. I only use mine for a box opener or to open letters, cut string and the like. Once in a while to remove a thorn or briar more likely. When I grew up every kid had a knife. It usually started with a boy scout knife and went from there.

my knife
with me always --
security blankets

For a minute forget about me. Who and what I am and the fact than you know I'm harmless. When you look at my poem; what do you think? Is this poet a callous person. Is he/she a bully. Are they harmful, agrressive, potentially. Or is it just poetry? it all has to do with generational mind set. Do you see someone on the defensive or someone who is offensive. But, then to answer that, some of the soup psychologists might have opposing opinions. Like the half empty, half full thing. From my generation it is just a statement of accepted fact. A knife is a knife whether a pocket knife or a stiletto. But the way it is used determins the extent of it's implied harmfulness. Now even in my generation to say stillato has evil connotation, to say knife is a little less threatening, and pocket knife is like...so harmless. So, I just want your modern conventions on pocket knife, vs. knife vs. stiletto. How does each one of those words grab you. Are there any differences in your feeling at reading either one individually or picturing it in your mind. By the way a stiletto is made usually spring loaded. It has a button when pressed will allow a long blade to come straight out of the end with considerable force.

Joann Grisetti Date: 1/29/2013 12:58:00 PM I got my first knife in 1958 and still carry it. never used it for offense or defense. great to open things, cut a Smores stick, remove splinters and hundreds more. You may want to define the knife as 'pocket' or 'pen' but not necessary. Login to Reply

David Williams Date: 1/29/2013 4:28:00 AM Chas, different generation now, we all had a knife when we were kids....David Login to Reply

Seren Roberts Date: 1/29/2013 12:39:00 AM Re Owen's answer. He says that it was straight fisticuffs in his day. that was known i think as straight forward sorting out a problem. People who fight with knives and guns are cowards. Knives are useful tools ,if used as they were intended.... Seren Login to Reply

Carrie Richards Date: 1/28/2013 9:28:00 AM All the men in my family, (my husband and my sons)...are kind, gentle, and compassionate people, ...but they are handy in every emergency with their trusty pocket knifes. That is the first thought I have upon reading your poem....is that you too, would come to my aid if I had something I couldn't open, unlock, unstick, etc. Every boy I grew up with kept a red handled pocket knife in his jean pocket, until knifes became weapons instead of a great little tool. Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 1/28/2013 5:51:00 AM I have a prized swiss army knife I love and take it often on car trips with me, anyone know why some call the small pocket knifes PEN KNIFES? Login to Reply Harry Horsman Date: 1/28/2013 6:55:00 AM original manufactured for sharpening the quill for writing,!!!!!!!!! and then went on to sharpen pencils till the pencil sharpener was devised.....

Harry Horsman Date: 1/28/2013 3:45:00 AM you say it here Charles, "But it is the way it is Used" the knife, is a very useful tool,, but the mind set today creates it own rules..Still it is the hand and the mind that holds the knife,, that is the problem today... Login to Reply

Charmaine Chircop Date: 1/28/2013 12:59:00 AM The last line defines the first two lines.Someone using the knife for safety.Self defence!Re stiletto ..first thing on my mind is a high heeled shoes :)Oops I go for Knife:). Login to Reply

Jancarl Campi Date: 1/27/2013 9:31:00 PM A knife can be seen as a security blanket. I am 76 and carry one with me all the time. It is no more than 3 inches when opened. THat is all I need. Login to Reply

Michael Smith Date: 1/27/2013 5:37:00 PM I know many people that carry knives (pocket knives). As I raed this each line gave an insight to the writer and my thoughts were at first for your protection and sewcond as a tool, but not to harm someone. Login to Reply

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 1/27/2013 4:47:00 PM my dad was a gadget guy & for me this means something completely different. He always had one of those Swiss Army knives, the kind that has a few things like a toothpick, a 90s, I worked at a gift store as a manager & sold Swiss Army knives, all kinds. Some were specifically marketed towards fishermen, like my dad. Others more of a "just in case" type mode. As far as comments go, we all have baggage, "stuff" that others may or may not understand & it acts like a filter through which we read. For some, saying "I could hang myself" is no big deal. Well, for me it is a HUGE deal, as my mother committed suicide this way. Not there fault! But feelings...I see POV where I can, not easy.. Hugs :) Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/27/2013 4:24:00 PM I should have said, "maybe" insecure. I would find the poem puzzling and would wonder if it were a "he man" type who just liked frolicking in the woods hunting or if it were a young person who felt he needed to defend himself! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/27/2013 4:22:00 PM If I were looking at that poem not knowing whatever about the writer, I would not find them callous. quite the opposite, i would see them as someone insecure and who felt they needed a knife to defend themselves against others. Even though I am "older" generation, I would interpret it as a big knife,not a pocket knife. since I never used a pocket knife in my life. that's just me. hope that helps ya. Login to Reply

Sharon Smith Date: 1/27/2013 2:34:00 PM As a twenty something year old British ex Girl guide, a pocket-knife (or pen knife as we call them) is a rather useful tool (especially the corkscrew attachment!), a knife is what you cut your dinner with and a stiletto is a shoe mostly seen in Essex. But then I'm all sweet and innocent ;) Login to Reply Sharon Smith Date: 1/27/2013 2:36:00 PM In addition, I think any comments on the offensiveness of such a poem says a lot more about the reader than the poet.