No doubt many, if not most of us, have heard of Marshall McLuhan’s quote, the title of this post. McLuhan, a Canadian, was a Philosopher of Communication Theory. He spent much of his life in academia and authored many works of non-fiction, dipping into the world of various schools of art and the manner in which sensory stimuli affects a person’s perception of the ideas being communicated.
Just so, “The medium is the message,” implies that the use of a specific medium influences how the message is perceived. McCluhan believed that the focus of study should be the choice of medium rather than the content. In poetry, our medium is words. How might we use words to deliver a message?
A while back, I posted an article on imagism which treated of early 20th Century poets whose focus was purely on description. Among poets of this school we find William Carlos Williams, Ezra Pound and others. Williams’ famous poem, The Red Wheelbarrow, is most often cited as an example of imagistic poetry. “So much depends upon a red wheelbarrow…” but what exactly that might be, no one knows, even though it has been the subject of a number of scholarly treatises. Williams would tell us that the goal of his work is pure sensory description.
A more contemporary poet, James Merrill (1926-1995), whose work was tinged with autobiographical content and self-reflection, once said, “To tell about yourself, describe your room.” Taking it a bit further, we might add, “To talk about feeling, describe something else.”
Hilda Doolittle, who wrote simply under the name H.D., is often grouped with the imagists because of her effective use of sensory detail. But a thoughtful read of her descriptive poem, “Sea Violet” tells us much about herself: her strength despite a fragile appearance.
Victorian Poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who served as Poet Laureate of Great Britain during much of Queen Victoria’s reign, wrote an apocalyptic poem, the Kraken—a sea monster that represents the end of time.
The Kraken
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Below the thunders of the upper deep,
Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee
About his shadowy sides; above him swell
Huge sponges of millennial growth and height;
And far away into the sickly light,
From many a wondrous grot and secret cell
Unnumbered and enormous polypi
Winnow with giant arms the slumbering green.
There hath he lain for ages, and will lie
Battening upon huge sea worms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by man and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.
Public Domain.
Note that this creature is described completely in terms of its surroundings. Tennyson gives us only information about its environment until the final two lines when it is seen in the passive voice by angels and men before rising and dying. Every adjective in the poem refers to its surroundings, not to the thing itself.
Two of my favorite poets are Mary Oliver and Jane Kenyon. Oliver, in her 80’s, is still writing and publishing from the countryside of Massachusetts, whereas Kenyon died in 1995 in New Hampshire (at an early age) of leukemia. I have to confess I have volumes of their poetry anywhere in my home where I may have a moment to enjoy a poem or two. Both women have the ability to write what appears to be, at first glance, wonderful nature poetry—but then comes the zinger—a loaded message tucked away somewhere in the middle or in the wind-up surprise with subjects such a love, hatred, fear and death. These are poems that need to be read and studied multiple times in order to glean their full depth. If you are not familiar with them, I encourage you to take time to savor some of them.
From time-to-time, I find myself encountering poems of this caliber here in our dVerse poetry community, as happened recently with a visit to Jamie Dedes who hosts poetry at her website Musing by Moonlight/The Poet by Day. She has given me permission to share a recent poem with you:
The Blue Heron’s Flight
Once we two stood tall on a wet grassy river bank
where a hungry blue heron fished in the shallows
you were enchanted and pointed as it took flight
We clasped hands to heart, such was its poetry
We are gone now along with that hungry blue heron
gone now too are the sounds of the river, its creatures
the scent of the grasses and the flow of our attachments
Is this a sadness or a wonder?
© 2013, poem, Jamie Dedes, All rights reserved
Note how Jamie’s effective description of the heron communicates to us the feelings associated with memory and loss. Thank you, Jamie.
For our post today, I invite you to write a descriptive poem in which you will use images to describe a feeling, a truth you hold dear, a person, using primarily surroundings—in other words, an imagist poem that has an embedded message about whatever…
To participate:
• Write your poem and post it on your website or blog.
• Copy and paste the direct URL of your poem, along with your name, in the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post.
• Visit and comment on as many of your fellow participates as you can. “Likes” are nice, comments even better.
• Have an enjoyable evening/day of poetry. The specialty of the house today will be a Zinger. (I don’t know what’s in it. You surprise me!)
For dVerse Poetry Pub, I’m Victoria Slotto. I look forward to reading everyone’s work. I’m in the Pacific Time Zone, so it may be awhile before I catch up with you, but I’ll be there.
claudia said:
now that is a prompt right up my alley victoria…writing about something by describing something else.. ha..aren’t we poets funny sometimes…smiles..need to check out some of the links… happy thursday everyone
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Definitely up your alley, Claudia. And well-executed poem you shared.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Welcome everyone. The zingers are on the house today. All you need to do is come on in, post a poem, read, comment, and have fun.
Glenn Buttkus said:
A sterling challenge, Victoria. I love to get knuckle-deep in descriptive imagery, and hopefully you will find a purpose, and “embedded message” within it. I blue-penciled several times, and it bucked in its traces, but had it ready when you swung open the Pub doors.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Splendid piece, Glenn. But I love horses and am fortunate enough to have some nearby in Reno.
gardenlilie said:
Nice prompt! Love herons. They come often to my parents backyard/pond. So I think I will send it to them.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Never too many poems about herons, lilie…in case you want to take yours in that direction!
ManicDdaily said:
Lovely prompt – especially like the Oliver and Kenyons that I’ve been reading from your links. Don’t know my time today but will keep this all in mind. k.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Hope you find time, busy lady.
ManicDdaily said:
Tell me about it! I am hoping to simplify my life but it will take some time and may get worse before better (in the process!) k.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Just a fore-warning, Karin. The whole retirement thing…a huge myth!
ManicDdaily said:
Ha. Yes. Well I can’t retire for some time. (Forever?) (I’m talking finances.) k. .
ManicDdaily said:
Hi Victoria – I have decided my busy-ness is likely a function of my inefficiency! I have started working on something but it’s just not right! Oh well. I’ll see. k.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
If that’s so, I incredibly inefficient. :0)
Heaven (@asweetlust) said:
A very interesting article, thank you Victoria ~
I will be around later to read when I get home ~ Happy day to everyone ~
Grace
Victoria C. Slotto said:
You, too, Grace.
brian miller said:
i had fun with this victoria….i will be honest, at first i was over thinking it….really enjoyed the links as well victoria….nice prompt…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Thanks, Brian. I understand the over-thinking thing! I’m so good at that.
dani said:
i’ll be in and out ~ looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!
thanks, Victoria!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Thanks, Dani.
Sherry Blue Sky said:
I love this post, Victoria. Mary Oliver is my all-time favorite poet. I am delighted to be introduced to Jamie Dedes, whose work is amazing. Intriguing prompt! It’s a feast in here today!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
If I could invite one poet to dinner, it would be Mary Oliver! My all time favorite, too!
Martin Shone said:
I wish I could write a poem for this, but I really am rather tired tonight so I shall have to let sleep interrupt me… goodnight all and happy writing.
claudia said:
good night martin…maybe you wake up with a poem, lying on your eyelids in the morning…smiles
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I was going to echo what Claudia beat me to…she does that all the time! Sleep well. It’s important to take care of yourself!
Tony said:
Linking one of my slightly older poems for this one Victoria. I hope that’s OK 🙂
Loved reading the article – and I might have a go at something fresh tomorrow.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Of course it’s okay. Glad you’re here, Tony.
Mary said:
Victoria, I loved reading your article. Thank you. I also enjoyed the poem you wrote and may visit it again…based on the information you have shared here. At the moment I am cogitating, but hope to write a poem before the prompt expires…..I will get busy now!!
claudia said:
cogitating..wow..just learned a new word…how elegant sounds that…see you later mary
brian miller said:
ha that is exactly where i was mary….cogitating…for a while…smiles…then i wrote two…the other may be around next week sometime…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I love that word, too. Cogitate!
Myrna said:
I enjoyed reading this so much Victoria. It inspired me to read some of the authors you mention. Thanks for hosting today.
claudia said:
happy anniversary myrna!!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Hope you enjoy them…especially Oliver!
John (@bookdreamer) said:
Thanks for the prompt. Thankful for the distraction. Not sure if the poem is an imagists one nut it plays with imagery
Victoria C. Slotto said:
If it has images, it’s imagist…I think so, anyway!
Laurie Kolp said:
I always love your posts, Victoria. Thank you!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Thanks so much, Laurie. And I always enjoy your responses.
ihatepoetry said:
I usually don’t try Meeting the Bar, but this time I felt I had something to offer. Hope it isn’t too far afield. Loved your notes, Mosk
Victoria C. Slotto said:
So glad you’re here today!
lovemorestudio said:
What a great post and prompt. I wasn’t sure what to expect for Thursdays, but I may be back later with a response (perhaps I have one in my aresenal that fits the bill). Either way, this was post and its many references to study throughout the week was exactly what I needed to restock the creative pond. Thanks so much! ~ Jason
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Hope you make it back, Jason.
lovemorestudio said:
Thanks, I’m back. It’s late here, Brazil time, for me to start/finish a new piece, so I linked to a recent imageistic poem I wrote– although since I am just a novice, I think this one fits the bill. It has hidden subtext, how apparent, I’m not sure 🙂 Next week, I’ll check in earlier so that I have time to respond to the prompt.
Thanks! ~peace, Jason
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Will read in a few minutes! Glad you made it, Jason.
charlesmashburn said:
I thought maybe I could do something with this one, Victoria. I gave it a shot, and if nothing else, I enjoyed the prompt and post, and enjoyed trying!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Going to read it now, Charles. Thanks.
nico said:
Thanks Victoria–I’m headed for supper right now, but will be back shortly to read and comment as able. I have the day off tomorrow, so if I don’t make it to every blog tonight, look for me later!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Enjoy your evening.
Bodhirose said:
I love your prompts too, Victoria. I always have from way back when you got me inspired by so many that you came up with every week. Thank you!
How’s the desert?
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Storm coming in right now…maybe that’s why I read your poem as a lightning strike (literal) at first. It was 80 yesterday…supposed to be in the 50’s tomorrow, with rain (which we need). Come on over!
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Going to take a bit of a break, now. Hope to be back tonight–if not, tomorrow morning. Really enjoying what I’ve read thus far.
jasmine calyx said:
This is brilliant: “To talk about feeling, describe something else.”
I look forward to reading the works of the writers you recommended.
jasmine calyx said:
Wow. Hilda was gorgeous. I love “Sea Violet,” especially the last stanza:
“Violet
your grasp is frail
on the edge of the sand-hill,
but you catch the light—
frost, a star edges with its fire.”
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Replied to this out-of-order, Jasmine. See below, down a couple.
Mary said:
Well, Victoria, I finally have something to share….and will enjoy seeing what others have written!! I enjoyed ‘playing’ with your ideas.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Glad to see you, Mary. Off to read what I can while the hubby finishes cooking dinner. :0)
Victoria C. Slotto said:
She was an incredible poet. This poem is supposedly a response poem to one of Wordsworth’s “Lucy Poems.”
Kelvin S.M. said:
…i think this is, by far, the most enjoyable topic here at ‘Meeting The Bar’… i felt very much at ease, thank you Victoria, ma’am for bringing this up… and for including a reference to Mary Oliver, thank you… thank you… she’s one of my current muses these days…. as you said: ‘their poems need to be read and studied multiple times in order to glean their full depth’…. Oliver’s poetry is packed with multiple layers of inspiration and deeply expressed in a light, simple language… i mostly like her series of ‘Percy Poems’…. truly a fun to read and yes…you can learn a lot from Percy… smiles…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I love the Percy Poems, too. If you go to google images and put in her name there’s photos of her with a dog, I suppose, is Percy. Before Percy, I think she had a larger dog…at least that’s how it sounds in her poetry from back then. Glad you liked the prompt, Kelvin.
sreeja said:
Blessed to read this Victoria…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
That’s all I would wish for, sreeja.
brian miller said:
alright poets…bed time here…see you manana
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Off to relax before bed. It’s been enjoyable reading your responses…see you tomorrow.
hobgoblin2011 said:
Nice theme. Thanks for bringing this to us Victoria. Look forward to reading the responses.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Thanks, Fred.
David King said:
Really enjoyed having a go at this one. Much thanks for.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Glad you joined us, David.
rosross said:
It is in our feelings that we find ourselves and perceive our Soul truth.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Yep!
Susan said:
Thank you for this prompt. I don’t think I’ve quite mastered it yet, but I like this challenge very much.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Do we ever master it? But we have to start somewhere.
brian miller said:
cant see the linky right now….so if anyone is trying to sign in…make sure you leave a link hte comments…sure its just maintenance and will be back up shortly…
brian miller said:
ah seems to be back now…
claudia said:
just had a huge bowl of bolivian peanut soup and back to playing catch up now…smiles
brian miller said:
nice…pasta with olives, peppers and parmesian….here
claudia said:
hmmm…sounds yummy…
ninot said:
Bolivian peanut soup? That is something totally new to me.
Now I have tried to come up with a decent poem. This has not been so easy for me, so I relied on a familiar format.
Thanks Victoria!
Here it is just in case the Linky is problematic, Brian…
http://poemsbyninotaziz.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-tree-branch.html
Victoria C. Slotto said:
It’s in! It’s beyond decent!
Joseph Harker said:
Claudia: I am jealous of this peanut soup!
claudia said:
yes, was really good…cooked it together with my daughter…bolivian recipe..
writersforacause said:
I love WCW! Imagery is a lot of fun and one of the first requirements (I think) of making writing resonate with readers. I think I’ve tried every style you mention above. Here’s one of my poems, and there’s more on the same site. Thanks for the prompt! http://katherinegotthardtpoetry.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/by-placid-bay/
claudia said:
just stopped by and left a comment… and warm welcome at dVerse..smiles
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Thanks so much for joining us with such a poignant poem.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Back to read. Hope you all are having a good day.
brian miller said:
hey victoria…just finishing lunch and about to give the second exam of the day…oy…enjoy…and great job with this one….some great responses….
claudia said:
hope you’re having a wonderful day as well victoria… a colleague of mine told me that they had just 2 C this morning in Anaheim…hope in the desert it’s a bit warmer…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
I don’t know. Just planned on taking the dogs on a long walk and the wind made it feel a lot colder than I know it is. Let’s just say, we didn’t get a whole lot of exercise this afternoon. But at least we do have blue skies and sunshine. :0)
jasmine calyx said:
I’m in.
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Yeah! Glad you’re here.
kvennarad said:
I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist this…
A Poem, by Henry Gibson.
Marshall McLuhan,
What are you doin’?
M.