He Says Poetry Is A Kind Of Lying Poem by Susan Williams
He Says Poetry Is A Kind Of Lying
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Hmmm...Jack Gilbert says Poetry Is A Kind Of Lying...
Okay, okay, I hear all you guys out there sighing
but what he's saying tis so very true
even if it makes you want to run him through and through.
Hold on, hold on, let me do some clarifying
after all, a lot of exaggeration [a polite word for lying]
in fact a tremendous lot of exaggeration I think we can agree
goes into the making of most poetry-
after all we don't really die of a broken heart
[it just feels that way but we're not really falling apart]
and we don't really drown in our tears
just like we don't really hear the music of the spheres.
And if I say the wind is a large and growly bear
then I am most certainly lying my head off but with a certain flare
[that being another example of an absurd and gross fabrication].
But if I don't lie then the wind becomes just an inert item on the weather station
that merely broadcasts that the wind is coming out of the south at 15 miles an hour.
My goodness, a fact like that just reaches out and grabs us by our
heartstrings and twirls us around the room in an ecstasy of glory.
and leaves us in a state of happiness with nary a hint of allegory.
Yes, perhaps poetry lies and lies and lies every time it opens its mouth wide.
[personification being one of the biggest lies often leaving readers mystified]
Then why, Jack cries, why do you poets write lies to us when you know we know
that love is not a color and milady's eye does not glow.
But, I reply, a list of factual truths makes me feel as lively as a dry creek-bed
So I might as well be lying in the street factually run-over dead.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~©2018 Susan Williams
Oh my dear friend, I must disagree, I admit, some exaggerate and say things that distance them from their inner self but there are some...and I think I am one, when I write I am my true self more than I have ever been, I have wept when writing and I feel myself reaching for something through my words..though sometimes I don’t know what, but I understand what you are saying and it is true with some. Anyway..all is good in poetry.
Hey, Susan! Been a while. A notice brought me to this poem of yours which I never read and/or never commented on. Having just enjoyed it, here I am telling you that. Lie on! eh? Hoping you're well in all ways, Glen
I never thought of it that way before now. Your perspective on the subject is something to admire greatly. Thanks for sharing this great work of yours. Remain enriched.
Hey Jez! ! ! I apologize for taking so long to reply. When I am healthy I am much more prompt. The way I look at it is that you took time to read and comment and that is time you could have spent writing- so I thank you for your fun-loving comment and your obvious enjoyment and the multitude of ten's! ! ! ! You are a blessing on this site!
The beginning lines of this poem are much interesting. It may be cited...... Hmmm...Jack Gilbert says Poetry Is A Kind Of Lying... Okay, okay, I hear all you guys out there sighing but what he's saying tis so very true even if it makes you want to run him through and through. It is a beautiful poem on poetry so nicely executed. I appreciate this poem. Thanks again.
hey! ! thank you for commenting! ! ! I am wriuting this with a patch over my left eye and I can barely see out of blurryt right eye==so it is slow going- I will probably copy and paste thius which I hate doing but I just have to reduce the amouint of time I use my eyes- -I love and respect each of you taking time to read and comment- you guys aree the best! ! !
You are being funny but you have dealt with the subject of poetry intelligently. The language of poetry is often, if not always, flowery, winding, hyperbolic; But there lies the charm!
The voices of poetry- -so myriad and capable of great magic. And you are right- there in lies its charm! ! !
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 12:34:12 AM # 1.0.0.1119
Though poetry reflects our thoughts and feelings, yes it's a bit of exaggeration.. Good one, thanks for sharing Rini
I think I did a poor job of communicating what I was trying to say. Definitely back to the drawing board.for me. Thank you for reading and commenting, Rini, it is how we writers find out whether we're doing the job of communication correctly.