"My Take On Poetry" (an interview)

Short Composition

"My Take On Poetry"

Forenote:

   While digging through my archives, I came upon this little composition from 1972, someone may find interesting, entertaining, or even informative.

   It is from a conversation between Leona, a novice poet and one of my students (also, a sophomore English major at SMU, in Dallas, Texas) and I, that was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape and transcribed by her into type as a grade paper.

   The composition is her format, but the wording is exactly as I spoke it.

  The introduction Rhyming Couplets poem is by a poet friend, who generously permitted it to be included ... I think it befits the moment and sets the tone perfectly.

 

~ Introduction ~

 

Poetry is a gift, the ability to show one's inner-self,

much as a proprietor displays his wares, upon a public shelf.

 

The ability to write in rhyme, makes not the poet,

but that he writes sincerely, and his readers know it.

 

That he can raise a tear, a smile, enlightenment, or query;

perhaps, shed moments of enlightenment, upon a subject dreary.

 

He doesn't need to be a scholar, knowing how to spell,

but simply one who starts a task, and tries to do it well.

 

But, most of all, the poet is a person, not in part, but whole;

for, when he writes he opens up … the gateway to his soul.

 

~ John F. Price ~

"theatercats"

______*______ 

 

  "Tell me, Richard, exactly what your take on poetry is," she said. 

  "Hmm?" I replied. "Let me think on that for a bit......!"

 

  "Well, Leona, to me, more than anything else, poetry is a brilliantly creative way for humans to express who they are, what they feel, and believe, and to touch one another without physical contact.

   As human beings, we experience and share a vast array of emotions, all of which are transient in nature.  The way we feel and what we think can change more often than the weather, with even less predictability. 

   I look upon my own poetical efforts, for example, as attempts to capture a moment's feelings in verse upon the page, much like a photographer records what they see through their lens onto film. 

   While looking back on what I've written over the years reminds me of what I felt when I wrote it, it does not necessarily reflect what I feel today. 

   One must realize, too, that when reading poetry, the desire is to connect on some level with what the poem is saying, and when one relates well, the tendency to do so is in the here and now. 

   Then, that which one writes ... what I write ... may afford a partial glimpse of who I am, but the whole of me remains impossible to see, or to even be glimpsed through mere words. 

   Yet, how truly wise we are when each one of us, who is gifted with the inherent talent of self-expression, comes to realize that we are rare and unique, indeed; especially, if we are fortunate in faithfully and honestly following this legacy. 

   For instance, if poetry were to try and express the full measure of the man in me; that it were to aspire to embrace the totality of my essence, it would be but a very weak reflection of the man/the person I am ... a misty shadow, if you will. 

   Poetry, may then well become but a very weak pursuit for a man and for a woman, but not now, and not in the life and skin in which I live; for, whether all that pours forth from my pen to page comes from some place fanciful or factual, it all originates from something I've lived, learned, dreamed, or deeply and characteristically (almost instinctively) understood within me ... a place as natural as breathing, or the quick, unaware blink of an eye, while the heart beats independently and the soul soars free on its own accord." 

 

   "I am not sure if this will adequately satisfy your question, Leona, but it is all for now I have to offer; yet, not all I know or feel for it, from it, or about it … " poetry, that is." 

 

 

Richard W. Jenkins

©1972

Today, I could offer more, but I can't say I feel any
significantly different now than I did in 1972.
Could be, I just need to grow-up ... LOL!

Author's Note

As always, constructive critique (and praise) is welcome. : )

Some might or might not agree with this, or you may feel it went too far, did not go far enough, etc; also, I would love to hear your own Take On Poetry and/or where you think my responses in this interview may have gone awry. C'mon, friends, get involved here … I know we all have our own thoughts on poetry many would be interested in, and we might learn something new from each other, too, eh? : D

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Richard for sharing your thoughts on writing and poetry.
" Poetry, may then well become but a very weak pursuit for a man and for a woman, but not now, and not in the life and skin in which I live; for, whether all that pours forth from my pen to page comes from some place fanciful or factual, it all originates from something I've lived, learned, dreamed, or deeply and characteristically (almost instinctively) understood within me ... a place as natural as breathing, or the quick, unaware blink of an eye, while the heart beats independently and the soul soars free on its own accord."
I did like the above lines. i dream write and I put to paper later. Some of us, we must write. I believe. We need someone to write down things about the world we lived in. To show the new generation. The struggles and the good days of the past. Thank you for the outstanding work.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, John 🙏

Always, your keen, insightful ability to express appreciation, praise, and understanding let a poet know their efforts to write for and please at least one reader have not gone unfulfilled.

You are so very welcome, my fine friend!
May the gift of a lovely weekend be blessed upon your kind self, Syr! Richard🖌

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[B. Boileau]

I find it very interesting a teacher of poetry would post this. I look at it as if it were a interaction webinar of sorts. It is very thoughtful of you to do this my friend, it shows the passion you have for your craft.

My take on poetry is in some ways the same, in some different. To me poetry is much more than mere communication in words, it is expressing of emotion, or discription in artful manner. In my case I also use it at times as an outlet. A personal form of therapy. Writing has a way of calming after a long night on the Vegas Strip ...
Thank you sharing your knowledge.

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Monsieur Boileau,
Yes, I agree, an advertisement of sorts, in as much that I thought others might not only find my thoughts insightful and useful, but might find something in them to blend into their own take on our borderless art.
I dearly enjoy sharing, and your comments are exactly why I do … they're far more inclusive and awakening than my own, therefore, lending more a conscious grasp for others to learn to see even more depth from, for their personal viewpoints to absorb and rebound off of.
Thank you for making the intent of this piece more interesting and conclusive.

My best appreciation to thee, Dear Poet! ⁓ Richard

[Tate Morgan]

Interesting observations on the human spirit and the way we communicate through poetry. It is the ability to make others feel get in touch with their own feelings in a way empathize with a piece by connecting to it through their own experiences to evoke emotions through similarity

[Richard🖌]

Beautifully insightful, Tate.
Thank you immensely and gratefully for sharing your take on poetry and this rather loose synopsis on our art.

I've enjoyed your comments very much, My Fine and Gifted Friend! ⁓ Richard

[Tate Morgan]

LOL I ant say i ever remember getting an answer to a comment a year after the fact. Nice to hear from you

[Richard🖌]

Yes, the site does not always notify me I have a review, Tate; thus, I am left to come across them at a whim, but I always comment on reviews — when they're found … LOL!

[Tate Morgan]

Nice to hear from you

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i really like this, Richard...i feel that melanie was right when she sang "i am not a poet, living is the poem"

and we are all works in progress...revisions over and over again...

we are all poetry and poetry is us...

such a good piece of writing here...

[Richard🖌]

Jacob,
Who knows why this site notifies of some reviews, and not others?
I mean, you've only waited 2-years for a comment on your brilliantly rendered review … so, I'd better make it a decent one … LOL!
All kidding aside, My Friend, the validity and interest of your insights in review are second to none; you've always something treasured to gift those you read.
I'd never thought of poetry as "we all works in progress...revisions over and over again...
we are all poetry and poetry is us..." but, your words and reference to that line in Melanie's song, have changed my outlook forever.

Thank you, My Astute Friend, for really liking my thoughts on poetry, and for your endearing praise …
gracious and grateful blessings to you! ⁓ Richard

[jacob erin-cilberto]

hey Richard...

lots of lines of Melanie's are perfect for poets...she is one for sure...and you are one for sure.
j.

[mattavelli]

I think poetry is a method of writing or speaking that people enjoy reading or listening to, like an inspiring speech or a song; maybe thoughts dancing around each other or building to a pleasant climax.

[Richard🖌]

Absolutely, Matt!
Kudos and many thanks to you for a great explanation, and I could not agree more … for, it is your poetical heart, soul, and voice speaking, and what genuine poet would not recognize this and relate to it.
I hope everyone reads your review, because it has so much to offer us all.

Huge blessings to you, My Fine Frfiend! ⁓ Richard

[mattavelli]

Whats your favorite poem, Richard?

[Richard🖌]

Matt,
I have many favorite poems, but there are two standouts that come to mind:

read moreMatt,
I have many favorite poems, but there are two standouts that come to mind:

"IF"
by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
but make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
or being hated don't give way to hating,
and yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;
if you can think – and not make thoughts your aim,
if you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
and treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
and stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
and lose, and start again at your beginnings,
and never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you,
except the will which says to them, "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
or walk with Kings – nor, lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
if all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
and … which is more … you'll be a Man, my son!


(and the following, which I sing while playing guitar)


The World I Used To Know"
by Rod McKuen

Some day some old familiar rain
will come along and know my name,
and then my shelter will be gone
and I'll have to move along;
but, 'til I do, I'll stay awhile
and track the hidden country of your smile.

Some day the man I used to be
will come along and call on me,
and then because I'm just a man,
you'll find my feet are made of sand;
but, 'til that time, I'll tell you lies
and chart the hidden bound'ries of your eyes.

Some day the world I used to know
will come along and bid me go;
then, I'll be leaving you behind,
for love is just a state of mind;
but, 'til that day I'll be your man
and love away your troubles if I can;

but, 'til that day, I'll be your man,
and love away your troubles if I can.


Favorite recordings of this poem in song format:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9kDYwHO0m8 (Rod McKuen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_4vVOCpbZk (Johnny Mathis)

[Richard🖌]

Matt,
I wrote you a very nice answer, but for some reason, it is not accessible.
I will do it again, but send it to you by message …

[africa]

Are you saying the poet is your alter ego?
The poet is not exactly you in the day to day but rather, someone you become when in the quiet of your mind.

[Richard🖌]

I am not saying anything like that at all … it is definitely me, and the explanation of what this is, is stated at the beginning in the Forenote. Be certain to read everything again, My Friend.

[Richard🖌]

I think you may well be right about me, too, Africa. : )