Poetry 1, Moskowitz 0

http://www.lulu.com/content/223020
from JoeUser Forums
It sits on my nightstand
silently mocking me

"Postmodern American Poetry"
with its picture of George Washington
given an Andy Warhol treatment
on the cover

I search for a short poem
that won't overwhelm me
but every writing here
appears needlessly long

I turn page after page after page
just trying to find the starting point
of the next poem

I find a quiet place
and I begin to read the first poem slowly
making sure not to continue
until the current idea is understood

my gaze is fixed
I can hear the words in my mind
and I'm trying so hard to understand
that I've lost my place

I begin again
and realize I don't know
if I know
the proper meaning of the word
"thicket"
so I stop and get my dictionary
and realize I knew exactly what it means
but
now, what did the poet mean?

I forge ahead
and read every word

I read it again

the words
colorful and distinct
bounce off my head
like rubber balls
off a slab of concrete

defeated
I return the book to its place

you've won this round
you insufferable bastard

and I reach for
my spiral bound notebook
and mechanical pencil

and attempt to even the score.
poetry
1,629 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nothing kills poetry like a poetry text book. Same goes for history. Try Robert Frost The Pasture. Very simple but very intimate. I think your poetry is a lot like Robert Frost's. It is very straight forward but very pithy.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think you're right. The text book may not be the best way to learn, but I'm trying to make up for the gaping holes in my cultural awareness. I still haven't been able to appreciate ballet, and I've only ever seen one opera (on videotape). However, I give myself credit for trying new things.

Robert Frost? Thanks for the favorable comparison. I have been most influenced by Charles Bukowski and Dorothy Parker, so I'm guessing that since you didn't mention those, that a) I've incorporated their influences so seamlessly that you didn't see them, or b) I'm nowhere in their league, or both.

Thanks, I'll look for "The Pasture" soon.

-Buddah
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
This hit the nail on the head Buddah! This is exactly how I feel. I had a horrible teacher in 9th grade that made me hate poetry by telling us how we were wrong on how we interpreted things. I hated poetry and I am still a bit apprehensive.

BUT

You are changing my mind about poetry.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
a) I've incorporated their influences so seamlessly that you didn't see them, or b) I'm nowhere in their league, or both


Or C) I'm not as familiar with their work.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Or C) I'm not as familiar with their work.

my list of poets I can read and enjoy is pretty short: Bukowski, Parker, David Lehman, and JU's Johnny MasudaLink. I also like poetry in the Old Testament: psalms and Song of Solomon. I may not know poetry, but I know what I like.


You are changing my mind about poetry.

Thanks, this is high praise indeed. As my blog (and my first book) is entitled "I Hate Poetry," trust me, I share your apprehension. One of my earliest posts to JU was "Life's Too Short for Poetry with a Capital P," so I have had this ambivalence with poetry for awhile now.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Kudos on this one too! You made me laugh in recognition of your defeat!