Seeking the “Wow!”
i AM a daughter of God. I am one of the ALL.
I am a wife, beloved. & lover.
I AM a poet. I AM an artist.
I have been reading the famed mythologist
Joseph Campbell’s book, “The Inner Reaches of Outer
Space,” in which he goes into quite an extent describing the nature/needs of artists/poets with a primary need being recognition/approval.
For over 18 months, I have spoken with a counselor who has a PhD in both psychology & theology. He is a poetry-guide as he helps relate my Christian poetry to biblical references, symbolism, & the growing of my faith. He also helps with my psychological well-being…
Growing up, I got support for my drawing, but for writing? Well, dad said nothing. My English teachers didn’t like me. One even sent me to The Office for disagreeing about the interpretation of a poem.
Then, mom as much as told me that I wasn’t a writer (before age 22 when I was published & started getting fellowships); she had to be begged to read my ;poems, did’nt responded positively, which caused me to frown & her to say, “You can’t take criticism, Sally!” more times than I remember…but enough that I taught myself to not only take criticism, but to want it, because it can help the editing & learning…plus it is at least a comment. To say, “Not a theme I like,” is better than nothing. Poetry (when not written solely for oneself) is written for an audience, to communicate, to which eithers may comment or will walk out. But, poets need a response to their words.
I set to writing this blog, first because I know I am not alone…
Secondly, recently, my husband is fond, of saying in a critical tone, “You are OBSCESSED,” with a pinched-fingers wave of a hand in the air for emphasis. “
“With what.” I inquire, getting ready for the lecture.
“With all THAT!” Another wave of the hand across my entire half of the room…
Deflated, I say, “What? Poetry?”
“YES, You’re OBSCESSED,”
To no further response, I answer softly, “I know I am. That’s how you get good. It’s my life.”
When I talk to my counselor & relay that conversation, he says,”Good that you are,” as he starts listing history’s greats who were OBSCESSED such as Einstein & Rumi…probably Jesus…
Then follows, the “You’re too worried about how many ‘likes’ you get or what people comment.”
True & let’s be truthful here. I think most poets have low self—esteem. (It’s thecharacter of one who concentrates on the greatness of a single snowflake…) Our current culture doesn’t highly regard poets. We hold out our poems to share to comments like the quickly said, “I don’t get poetry,” or “I’ll read it later.”
The usual response to wanting to share a poem is not unlike that a traveling salesman gets to his knock on the door.
Yes, we need confirmation. Even our pups like praise.
Say, “God bless you!” to the sanitation person in the hospital & her appreciative reaction will alert you.
Generally, it is the very psyche of humans to do things for “a pat on the back.”
And, yes, I think every poet seeks the “Wow!” response…of course, not for every piece or from every person. However, it carries the.message, perhaps that I AM learning and growing in this work I do & here where I worked hard, inspired, my words related well to this (or these people) person.
I agree to an extent, with the discussion here recently about wanting positive comments & attitudes about that…because,”we should only post our best & be smart enough to know ourselves when our work is good, so why want comments?” Well, once again it is the need for recognition and support. When the player hits a home run , beers go up in the stands & the team rushes out to shake hands as the hitter walks over home base.
It is supportive.
It is the shared joy of accomplishment.
It is the human need to respect and share.
Poetry requires a level of sincere humility in relation to others, to nature, to language, to expression, & to the creative process. In other words, life, family & fellows, & to the art. And, living at a level of finding the wonder, down to God’s smallest, needs support.
PoetrySoup saved my life in finding friends who are high-aiming, true poets. A dear poet friend I met in 2019, got me back to writing after I’d given it up for 35 yrs. His poet-being felt anguish of aloneness. Often I wonder if he’d found the large community here of kindred, positive souls, he might not have committed suicide just 3 mos. after we met…
Friend poets, always keep faith & work for the Wow’s. The living words of language & Poetry will appreciate you!
(c) sally young Eslinger 10/2021