The Poetry Pulse of Absolute Write

why do people suddenly have oversized avatars?

It's meant to be inspiring, I think.

I might actually be able to compose an ode to RT after this. Complete with graphic verses depicting his gruesome, untimely demise at the hands of a Puffin Stuff.

Bravo said:

why do people suddenly have oversized avatars?

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A subtle form of control and intimidation. Since the site owner doesn't hand out batons or tasers, the powers that be make do with what they have.

Just a few thoughts (in appropriate form) to give a little metaphoric insight about the joys and frustrations of writing poetry:

First Law of Poetidynamics

Sometimes I get this awful itch
that can only be scratched
by the fingernails of prose
on a chalkboard

When I want to reach out
to the edges of hell
of whatever you call
that other place

words fall out
at a measured pace
and chaos leads
to ordered states

Then I'm a poet
no matter how
the thoughts
come out


Second Law of Poetidynamics

Novelists get the groupies
looking for hit-and-run
romance.

Poets get the lonely divorcees
clinging to the image of a
soul-mate.


The Third Law of Poetidynamics (What is Poetry?)

a slow-motion instant
sealed in the cellophane
of thought
put in words
that sing and dance
to me

no sulfurous poof
is required to prove
its poetry
it's poetry


Fly-By (The Writers' Cry)

There are no dead here
do not stall your wings
or reach to fill your bag
with gold fillings and rings

There are no dead
or blankwalk preen
we are writers paused
to conjure our scene

This is an interesting question.

For me, one reason is because my browsers frequently drop the cookies containing the password and the subforum then disappears. Out of sight, out of mind. I find that whole months have gone by before I even realize and even then, it’s only because someone I know mentions poetry.

Another reason is that, while I want to write some more poetry, my time is limited. Sadly, I cannot run and write poetry at the same time.

Poetry requires a certain mindset. For me, at least. It requires a certain solitude and self-introspection. It requires reflection and time to assess and distill the things you glean – about yourself and about your surroundings. And most importantly, about your feelings.

Poetry requires an acknowledgement of some truths, personal and universal. It requires letting down walls and allowing whatever is held back within to come pouring out. For me, it almost requires a quiet, meditative state where I can contemplate things and decipher the meanings hidden within me.

I also have a WIP, numerous short stories, articles and blog posts jockeying for my writing time and the unfortunate truth is that poetry is at the bottom rung of that ladder. For me it’s a luxury. A dalliance and a mental exercise.

I guess when my internal pressure hits a sufficient boiling point, it’ll naturally climb upwards in importance, but until then, I’m content to be reminded of it once in a while and go enjoy.

I like poetry with rhyme and form. Free verse does nothing for me. I've flitted in and out of the poetry fora from time to time, but I've fallen into scribbling sonnets and Sapphic Odes at home, keeping them in my notebooks rather than posting them online despite any encouragement I may have had to change this. The Chapbook and Critique fora seem almost exclusively for poets who write in free verse, in which I have little or no interest. So yeah, not posting my poems there does a lot to tackle that, eh? But writing poetry is secondary to prose for me, so I don't suppose that's a great loss.

I picked '...visit and comment from time to time...' but that's not counting the chain of haikus. I post on that a LOT. But as for all other poetry, I occasionally read some in the forum, but never add my own. The idea of having others read my poetry just scares me, pretty much.

when i joined aw, i went straight for the poetry section, and found it an immediately accessible and welcoming. crap and arrogant as i was, the poetry regulars still welcomed me as part of that community.

after a while, i moved on into OP and TIO, and pretty soon subforums started taking over the board, and then my life got busy and i didn't have much time for AW, but always i'd retreat back to the poetry board. critiques were always given, they were always honest, and always helpful.

i don't write much apart from poetry, and i think its quite possible the only reason i do write poetry is AW.

what i like about the poetry forum is that its never too crowded. it can be too quiet, of late, but it is never impossible to keep up with the poems. i've become familiar with personalities, styles and opinions. its a great lil spot.

I love reading the poetry - I don't usually feel adequate to comment, though - I'd like to be able to say something really intelligent when a poem hits me square in the heart.

Although I only write doggerel sometimes, I really love reading the poetry forum.

Godfather said:

i don't write much apart from poetry, and i think its quite possible the only reason i do write poetry is AW.

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Well, there's a ringing endorsement right there. You are excellent at it.

I definitely second the notion that "I like it" or "I don't get it" is a valuable critique (for me, both in poetry and prose.) Knowing where your arrows fall can absolutely refine your aim, or your choice of weapon.

I only know that there is poetry I like out there, on any large scale, because of the AW poetry forum.

I read the forum frequently, but I seldom comment, because, even though...

William Haskins said:

just to point out: comments as simple as "i like it" or "it just doesn't work for me" are both acceptable and even helpful.

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...I still feel compelled to answer why I do or why I do not like a piece of writing. From my perspective, I don't know nearly enough about poetry to justify a comment.

But, while I cannot give to it, I still draw from it. I love the use of language, the flow of words, the specificity of words, the beauty of it all. Though I am the furthest thing from a poet, I incorporate poetry into my prose. At least I try to.

Cranky said:

I chose "other". I like to read poetry, especially by folks I know, but I can't write it myself, and some of it is very much over my head.

Well, I guess that's my answer then...poetry makes me feel stupid. LOL!

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I've decided that since I refuse to accept "I can't!" as an answer from my children, I should hold myself to the same standard.

I actually wrote two poems tonight.

...poetry is cool and packs lots of power.
I really am not knowlegable enough, though, to be able to make any evaluations of poems posted in the SYW forum or to offer any critiques or advice, though I do visit the forum and read poems, from time to time. Good stuff to be found there. Keep up the good work, poets.

Haggis said:

From my perspective, I don't know nearly enough about poetry to justify a comment.

BUT, THEN HE SAYS...

<snip> I love the use of language, the flow of words, the specificity of words, the beauty of it all.

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Silly puppy.

I think the poetry forums are one of the most valuable aspects of AW. I am dumbfounded by the recurring demonstrations of talent and ideas.

Plus I feel like I have a shitload of class just for visitng.

Wow, I thought I was being too profane, but your adding that means we're profound!

scarletpeaches said:

<snip> The Chapbook and Critique fora seem almost exclusively for poets who write in free verse, in which I have little or no interest. So yeah, not posting my poems there does a lot to tackle that, eh? But writing poetry is secondary to prose for me, so I don't suppose that's a great loss.

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the workshop is for all styles. your absent poems there are a great loss.

Good lord.

"to fuse the language
and the thought"

That's the entire forum, in fewer lines than would be a complete sentence in any other mode.

Brilliant--you rule this style as no other, William.

Haggis said:

...But, while I cannot give to it, I still draw from it. I love the use of language, the flow of words, the specificity of words, the beauty of it all. Though I am the furthest thing from a poet, I incorporate poetry into my prose. At least I try to.

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While reading this thread, I was trying to formulate my thoughts for a response when Haggis did it for me. I feel the same way, the same love and appreciation for language, the "beauty of it all." And like him, if you work hard enough, you can weave a certain amount of poetry into prose, arranging textures and patterns and feelings into words so as to produce the greatest effect upon readers in the least amount of lines.

Sadly, I don't visit the Poetry forum much these days. I haven't been there in months. I barely have enough time to keep up with this forum, while the rest of the AW blows past me as if I were stranded on a freeway watching the traffic speed by in a blur.

PWND!

William Haskins said:

.

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Originally Posted by Silver King
Sadly,
I don't visit
the Poetry forum
much these days.

I haven't been there
in months.
I barely have enough time
to keep up with this forum,
while the rest
of the AW
blows past me
as if I were stranded
on a freeway
watching the traffic

speed by in a blur.

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Well done, Dino. Though for the life of me, I can't explain why.