Hello, Anthony Desmond welcoming you all to OLN.
Hope everyone is having a great summer so far.
Mine has had some ups and some downs that linger
like the heat on these long nights, but that’s life… I’m learning
a lot about myself as I’ve made new friends (which is something I haven’t
done in a while). Also, giving this cold heart of mine some warmth
by being more open and empathetic with others.
So, I was having a conversation about poetry with someone
and he mentioned that he doesn’t care for writers
who don’t give a true sense of who they are through their work.
I wanna ask you guys, do you feel people can truly
get to know you through your poetry?
Between reading, let’s have some nice convo aye?
See you all on the trail…
Rules:
Write a poem that fits the prompt on your blog/webpage.
Click the Mr. Linky button below and enter your name & direct url to
your ONE poem; There you will find other poets’ work for today’s prompt –
engage with one another and have a good time learning from each other.
Feel free to share using the social media of your choice.
dVerse 
Pub is *really open now… sorry for the bit of confusion over my mistakenly posting this early… how’s everyone
Hey Anthony –
I agree with your friend: I don’t want to read about things, sunsets, the rain, as much as I want to read about the human condition. Hence, 99% of my “poetry” is merely my memoir, one writing at a time. As I’ve said, I’m not a poet, but rather a documentarian and my favorite subject is me. Thanks for hosting – your pal, Moskowitz
I like that… a documentarian, nice.
Mosk, I like reading about the human condition too. Thus always enjoy your poems!
Hey Anthony.
People will only see as much as we let them see. At least of the real us. But if you pay attention to what people write about you can tell what is important to them. And what is on their heart.
And perhaps that is more the real person than what others let you see.
Sup X? Yeah, I agree… I don’t write much that’s personal to me, BUT I write about my fascinations and intrigues. Like you said, I want people to pay attention and you’ll find what’s important… so you’re still getting ME.
Ha! I get to know and feel myself both by writing poetry.. there is more of me here that is explored than i likely ever could concentrate on outside of visually observing my TRAIN of thoughts as they come and go.. and directly on topic of Trains.. the KmF 509 Train of Being has picked up both steam and cargo cars filled with additional poetic expression.. in fact it gets a new number at the latest ending TRACK junction of 5236 and is now stretching 10 times around the mountain of poetics here.. FROM before.. but oh.. the steam engine needs a little R&R.. hmmm.. where has this train seen that R&R before.. looks familiar.. anyway.. will be back later.. Thursdays are always extremely busy dance days and OTHER stuff for me days.. but will most definitely be back to read and comment on all by the end of tomorrow.. GOD willing with me.. of course..:)
Indeed man… writing is def a way to explore our innermost thoughts and really give them attention.
“he mentioned that he doesn’t care for writers
who don’t give a true sense of who they are through their work”
I don’t think a person’s poetry has to have anything to do with who he is. If a poet completely lies to me in every regard, then props to him for having the ability to do it. I wouldn’t expect a book of fiction to be the writer’s truth, so why should poetry have to be any different? I don’t think poetry has to make a statement or tell the truth or be about anything “important.” What it does need to do is entertain me. If you can lie your ass off and do that, then kudos. Where’s the fun in being “real,” whatever that is? Besides, “reality” is different every day, isn’t it? Who we are is in constant flux. There are sooooo many rules on this planet. Sheesh. Why not just flush ’em all down the toilet and just dance with words? Let it go, ya know.
P.S. You can learn more about a person by watching them than you can by talking to them.
Hello, all. Very pleased to be rejoining your company after something of a hiatus. I look forward to some interesting reading this evening.
Steve K.
Yeah? How did that go?
Hi Anthony! I hope your summer has been good. I’m posting about snow – of course – grin. I give out limited information in my poetry about myself. What I want people to know, I share. In this Facebook/Twitter world where it seems everyone tells everything to everybody, I want to try to be private. Not secluded or exclusive, just….if I want you to know, I’ll tell you. But in our writing, we often give more than we may mean. My haiku about the train, Claudia picked up on the yearning in it. I didn’t mean it to come across so strongly, but the Master Painter Poet saw it. I may sometimes write about the human condition, just not my human condition. Like the line from Emily Dickinson – how public, like a frog. to tell your name the livelong day to an admiring bog.
If people want to know more about me, they will look beyond the surface words. I do some documentation in my poetry and I do some reminiscence. I am not going to tell you about what is going on with me in words like….I’m worried about my job, I’m in a spiritual crisis. I may tell you in subtle code what is going on. You can read it on any level you choose.
Exactly! Not many really take the time to dig into a poem, to go beyond the surface. I always viewed poetry as paintings: you study paintings, until you gather a meaning (if you’re truly passionate) and that’s how I want people to read my work, ya know? Bugt this is the age of the internet and everything is fast, fast, fast; I understand why a lot of times my points are missed – very few actually take to the time to “get” a poem.
Amen.
Sadly.
Amen.
This is true. And many times when a poet goes on and on and on about the same thing, I just want to say, I got it the first 50 times. But then there are those mysteries, that poems that beckon and tease me into looking more deeply, to ask that overwhelming question….why? to say, who are you? I really want to know…
Most poetry isn’t obvious – even if it looks like it at first sight – and does require multiple rereadings. That’s why I’m not sure the internet is always the best way to enjoy poetry. It’s wonderful for connection, for discovering new poets, but then you need to take yourself and the poems offline, to read, contemplate, reread. I need a lot of time to work through a printed poetry collection, for example. Perhaps that’s why people don’t like poetry anymore.
Having said that, it can also be quick: a caffeine shot of meaning and emotion.
You know, I think you mess your link up just to make me get up out of the booth in the back corner.
Thanks for the exercise. Smiles.
hey ghosts don’t get tired so you’ll be alright. hahaha
Awwwww. No I don’t, really I don’t!!!!!
haha. i dont mind at all.
Thanks for hosting today, Anthony. What a great conversation starter, too. Yes, I do think people can see what’s important to me in my poetry, at least most of the time. Sometimes I’m less transparent than others, but I try to be fearless and bold in my poetry. I also like other poetry that reveals the truth about the poet and their perspective on the human condition. Poetry that seems to have no discernible purpose bores me. I’m the same way with music, which is poetry of sorts. Fluff lyrics bore me, but serious lyrics can bring tears to my eyes without warning. For example, I’ve been listening to a lot of John Mellencamp this week because I went to see him in concert Tuesday night, and lyrics like those in “Rain on the Scarecrow,” real lyrics about real people, just floor me. My hope and prayer is that my poetry gets better and better, revealing more and more what is in my heart and soul. Peace, Linda
I agree on the fluff, don’t just throw a bunch of crap together to sound poetic – have a solid message. And you def can do that while using layers and metaphors, too… But, yes, it’s not hard to see what’s important to you from your writing, and I admire how vulnerable you are in it as well.
Linda, you definitely are fearless and bold in your poetry; and I do think your poems always say a lot about you. I like that!
You have been heartbreakingly honest, Linda, and willing to show quite a bit of yourself. Not that sincere poetry is always good poetry – although in your case it has been – but it’s better than smug poetry about so-called ‘poetic subjects’.
Thank you. I’m actually very surprised sometimes at the poetry I write. I so believe reading other poetry, stuff I like (like yours) and that I don’t like, has taught me a lot about my own writing. I’m thankful to dVerse for that. Peace, Linda
Hi Anthony & everyone ~ I am still in the office & working on my cases ~
I will be by to comment and visit you ~ I think I have been along enough in the bloggerworld that people are quite familiar with me & my persona ~ And I have been around long enough too to know who are interested in my work, and those who just ignore me ~ Happy OLN ~
woot!
happy thursday… just coming into the door and about to hit the reading trail…
and oh – people can def. get to know me quite well through my poetry – i fear – ha
oh and anthony – probably green armpit hair would look deliciously fresh on you… just be careful and don’t lift your arms when cows are around….haha
haha that’s a good tip, C!!
I feel as Claudia…people can definitely get to know me well through my poetry. I don’t write obscurely very well; so I am usually fairly near the surface of my poetry.
Honestly….I have No idea how to describe my work,is it a memoir or not, or does it contains just sunshine and roses theme…..but I do know this that I write what I feel……
This is Sanaa Rizvi reporting online for Open Link at dVerse Pub today 😀 sharing my poem “United” hope you all like it 😀
Well I think poems are a great source of information about a poet.. his thinking.. his background.. provided the poet wants to share.. and we do get a sense of who they are 🙂 their writing speaks volumes.. as they share their views with us on topics which hold importance for them 🙂
Hope you all have a great weekend! 😀
Okay all, I will be back later on… still, have fun. duh. hahah
most people who write fear being authentic – but poets are observers – and much of what they observe is not self-centered – so I have no problems with poets writing of other things. I suppose honest, authentic, and with their own voice are what attract me.
I agree
Hi, everyone. I will try and post before the bar closes but at the moment I sadly feel very dry. My muse must have taken a vacation.
Regarding your question, Anthony, I think one can know quite a few things about me from my poetry.
Hey there Gabriella. Good to see you.
Hi, Brian. Nice to see you too!
I think so too 🙂 and it’s okay, let the muse relax with a cocktail… haha
Not surprising the Muse is feeling dry in this heat… I find it hard to concentrate with sweat dripping down all over me…
A pool with an iced drink and some lovely celebratory music – just what the doctor ordered!
Hi Anthony – how have you been?…I saw the confusion with timing earlier, I hope it was sorted…
jumping in late… summer is crazy… some laughter and tragedy going on… as for poetry whether about people, nature, etc I think it’s all a reflection of who we are… my piece today regarding dying trees relates to the fact my brother-in-law was recently told he has stage 4 cancer… little hope of a cure… yet he’ll have a new life soon… the point is what we all do with it… those left to remember… gonna be grandparents again too… oh, the cycle of life.
So sorry to hear that! I find it very hard to write when tragedy strikes – or at least, not until some time has passed and I’ve learnt to come to terms with things. Thinking of you and wishing you all the courage and hope to go on…
Hello, my dears, I’m late to the game, not just because I got confused about the timing, not just because I wasn’t sure I had a poem for you, but also because I’ve been writing solidly on my novel for the past few days, so I feel a bit wiped out by the heat and by playing with words so much. Great fun, though, I’d forgotten how much I love writing and not having to worry quite so much about every word as you do in poetry (but that’s because it’s the first draft, so anything goes).
I really don’t know the answer to your question. To me and for me poetry is an expression of what I am feeling or processing – it writes itself in the main which is why I so like prompts because they give me a focus.
I think different people perceive different things in poetry and some poems resonate more than others.
So much talent overflowing here. It’s truly a delight to read all the link-ups!
Great topic. I think that our lives and personalities can definitely shine through our words, even when we don’t think they do. My own poetry is like pieces of my heart on my sleeve since I write mostly from my own emotions and experiences. I enjoy all poetry but I especially enjoy when people write bravely from the heart and just let go. Somehow I think that’s where masterpieces evolve.
Thanks Anthony…this gives me a chance to finish a poem for Bill’s poetic prompt on trains.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! 🙂
I think we can’t help but leaves hints of ourselves. Even the words we chose give clues. But, more importantly to me is that there be some connection between me and the poem… that it speaks to some part of my life…. and btw, it makes me smile to hear you say you are making new friends and thawing your heart. Growth and maturity is what I see. Blessings
Hi Anthony!
There’s a place for poetry, and another separate special place for poets.
The poetry stands on its own, one poetry at a time.
But poets, well Poets. They get to know each other, care for one another and on the blogosphere, look out for each other. We might be busy with our lives but we worry about those who disappear for a while.,.and come back. Or those who leave always too soon.
We ask how are you with genuine depth, after a while. And because we share innermost thoughts, our fellow poets are sometimes the only ones who truly knew what we meant 👆👆