Between the Lines

Most writing is very personal and can reflect its creator within the lines of the art. In ways we bleed for our work in some capacity and it shows.

Between the Lines 

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

I am the writer of the tale

The poet of the rhyme 

I yearn to capture in your heart

A vestige of your time 

Can you see me in the pages

Between the lines and texts I bleed

A call for your attention 

In suffered words to read.

I write to remember 

And I write to forget.

Scribbled words to dismember 

Of painful maligned regret.

I lurk within the subtext 

Between the plot and end

You can see me in the coda

And In the message I intend.

I'm the voice that always lingers

When the final sentence read

Obsession is my nature 

To burn inside your head 

A rendezvous with destiny 

These words of art the best of me.

Which I write....for you.

Author's Note

Feel free to comment or leave your thoughts on this piece.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

you teach us to read between the lines, but here you lay out your emotions so vividly; the need for attention; you are talking to us about the vestiges of our time, because we are all poets and have intentions. We all feel pain at times and our words can get muddled; many of us are stuck somewhere in the middle between the plot and the end. I believe we are all obsessed at times with our writing. You are speaking for all of us, but mostly of you, the poet of the rhyme. Very Well written Carlos.
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Betty for your thoughts on this piece. I will confess this work put me on quite a journey of self discover. Especially as a writer because it truly is a personal journey we all endure upon its road. If we as artists lost the ability to speak and write what of our art would we most want to be remembered for? It is a profound and difficult question to ask of ourselves because of our love for our art. But to me it is in the joys of conversations I have with artists I respect and admire in their art. To speak to you and share...that means the world to me. We could ask no more greater gift from our ar than that. Thank you so very much for these moments of reflection and conversation. As well as friendship.

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome! A thought- provoking poem!

[Lourdes Pessetto]

Beautiful poem Carlos. Indeed, we "write to remember
And I write to forget." We get lost in our own zone letting our thoughts, emotions, and imagination flow beautifully. Thank you!

Regards!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Lourdes for your kind thoughts on this poem. I have always found writing poetry a bit difficult because in actuality I am a story teller by nature. Creating short stories is a joy because I'm not bound nor restricted by rhyming schemes, structures, or word count. I have always felt like a fish out of water when it comes to the art of poetry. Yet with that being said it's been a fun journey learning to improve within this art form. I once said to someone that writing poetry is like creating a puzzle that has sublime thoughtful meaning or enlightenment. And that it can have different meaning for different minds. This poem reflects the myriad thoughts of many writers journey into the creative process of our art. I really took enjoyment in writing this piece because of its message. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this poem I truly appreciate it.

[Lourdes Pessetto]

You're very welcome Carlos. You're doing a great job!

[Shelley Warner]

I like how you write about what writing means to you and you do it beautifully. That's what writing means to me too.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much Shelley for your thoughts on this piece. I so love and enjoy the conversation this poem is stirring here on this thread by the many opinions and thoughts of it. As the writer of this poem I must confess it was not really meant to speak of just an individual voice but the amalgamation of differing thoughts from writers and their reason why they write. It is a very moody piece and it kind of reflects exactly that. When I wrote it I was hearing the voices of different people debating why they create art. I think if it is read that way then the puzzle starts to reveal itself more. There are pieces of all of us between the lines. Somewhere. One can find a stanza they agree with and disagree with. This is why I write. To stir emotions within the reader and to have them reflect upon the art on what they see and feel and how it moves them. Even to me this piece is a mystery but at its heart I feel it is beautiful because it asks of us "why do you write". Thank you so much for your thoughts because I so enjoy and respect the art you put out and share as well. You are an amazing writer.

[Shelley Warner]

Oh thank you Carlos. Sometimes I feel my writing is simple compared to others. But that's my style and that's ok. I like that this poem is written for the collective voices. I hadn't realized this, but I saw myself in it. "I write to remember; I write to forget". That's so true for me. I've written grief poems when I was going through loss. I've written about beautiful things that I see and insights and I've written about new love in my life.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Shelley we both have similar thoughts on writing. I too feel my writing is inferior to other in comparison. Growing up I had never considered myself a poet at all. I enjoyed short story writing over all. Poetry felt too limiting a writing style in my eyes. It's only now in my mid 50s that I have grown to respect and love the art form. I admire those words are vastly more talented then I, which admittedly are pretty everyone haha. But I take it as a personal challenge to myself to improve. Not fear the art but allow growth within myself to be better. I personally think your a wonderful poet and enjoy reading your art. It helps me improve on my own. To me that's the amazing qualities of this community. We learn from each other and most importantly seek to encourage one another to find the artist inside. When editing my work I even wonder if it's worthy submitting it to the community but I have found only kindness and a profound love of art in the people here. I have found acceptance. That's all I could ever ask for as a writer. To share friendship and a love for art with talented people like and the rest here in this community. So thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and this conversation with me. I truly appreciate it.

[Shelley Warner]

Yes, Carlos, it is such an uplifting writing community. I'm glad I joined it. And when I think my writing is maybe too simple, I remember William Wordsworth. He believed in writing in plain language. One of my favorite poems by him is "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud". He talks bout coming upon a field of daffodils and how the flowers cheered him up.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I just read the William Wordsworth poem and it truly is a remarkable and beautiful piece of writing. Thank you Shelley for your art and this enlightening conversation.

[Shelley Warner]

Oh you're welcome. I took some literature classes and writing classes at Boise State University a few years ago and I really enjoyed a class on Wordworth and Coleridge.

[Marina]

I like the tone of your poem but I have to disagree with it's final sentiments. I find that creative types create for self first and foremost and hope to be feted with praise and widely acknowledged. There is a selfishness inherent with any arts and it's only after the plaudits have arrived that one dedicates their work to the reader. The poet says...."This is me. This is who I am. Read me. Understand me". It's a selfish craft in my opinion and it's supported by the bitchiness and deceit in the ways many creative types react to criticism or praise. Disagreement aside, i enjoyed your own opinion of the craft and your reasons for writing. 💛

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

This is exactly the reason why I love art. Many can look at a piece and have differing opinions on it. As the writer of these words even I don't know what the true meaning may be and whose opinion is right or wrong. So with that being said I feel, and it's only my thought, we are both. The purpose of this write was an amalgamation of differing thoughts from writers, perhaps many or perhaps two. They go back and forth with one another. Each individual throwing out their reason why they create art. I feel if it's read with this idea then the puzzle reveals itself. That it reflects all of our opinions on art somewhere in between the lines. I am so happy that this piece has stirred up so much debate about its meaning, because that was exactly the intention. What I enjoy about art is to have the audience think about what they see and read in the words. And I truly loved hearing your opinion because it reflects much thought about the meaning of the poem and how it made you feel. So thank you so much for leaving your thoughts on this work.

[.]

It's a nice write on why we write. Sometimes it reflects our own emotions, our joy or pain, loss or gain. For me , I can only say I am clueless why I write, for getting some similar experiences or sharing some experience... Don't know. But sometimes the overwhelming beauty of nature made me write with full vigour. But not always we share our own experience, it's the world that we perceive, can come into writing. It's a nice write... I enjoyed it thoroughly

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Dreamer Sima for your thoughts on this work. Quite a few write from inspiration and we write what we love. What moves us and reflects the beauty in the world. It's through those written words that a reader catches a glimpse of who we are and how we think. Not all our words are implicit but one can grasp a vision of us between the lines of our art. Thank you again for your comment my friend.

[John the Baptist]

Very skillful demonstration of rhyme and meter in this one. Interesting point raised: Is the poet's effort a call for attention? I'd say that's partly right, at least. But I think we also write to call attention to things that might benefit or expand the horizons of the reader. Tennyson didn't write "Crossing the Bar" just to say, "look at me."

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I agree my friend with your thoughts. To me this is an amalgamation of thoughts stewed together reflecting the writer's journey to their art. We are all so individually different and have our own unique approach to the work. The intention of this poem to for each individual to find a part of themselves within the poem they may identify with. Though I have to confess a lot of times my writing is a mystery even to me. But I so love the conversation it provides for my peers and fellow writers who I admire and respect in their beautiful art. The heights and power of art is to elicit response and questions from inside us. It touches us on a human level and we are moved to reflect the reasons why. To share these thoughts as a community is what I try to strive for because it allows me growth as an artist from it. Thank you John for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Kent Rawski]

Wow a really nice entertwined poem of your thoughts and art, powerfully displayed.My favorite portion These words of art the best of me. Love the poignancy and the way these words roll off the tongue

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Kent, I so appreciate your thoughts on this work. I feel it reflects us as writers and our deeply ingrained love to this art form of ours. Pieces of us, whether intentionally or not, bleed into our work. We are these little passions embedded into the art through our suffering and hard work. We are moved to write, never forced to write. And we do so out of love, and the better part of our humanity. At least for those who approach it as art. I don't know everyone's intentions, but what you put into your art you receive in kind by those who love the work. I don't wish to sound pretentious, or even overly effusive but it is truth. What I take joy in most from my art is the incredible opportunity to share words with other artists such as yourself. I grow from this, so thank you, Kent.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carlos! :)
This was a fun read, with relatable thoughts, especially for this audience of writers. Overall, if you gave it some polish, it could be great.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Matt and I agree with your assessment. No one is more critical then the writer themselves. I honestly don't think I ever wrote anything I was truly happy with and deemed perfect. This poem reflects an amalgamation of myriad thought thrown together in a stew of writers insecurities and hopes. And that's putting it nicely in all honesty lol There are times I have reread things that made even me wince at which I wrote. I'm sure in time I will return to it and polish it up a bit. But my mind works in such a chaotic way that I literally move from one thing to the next. I have the attention span of a baby. Thank you though for your encouragement. Your art for the love of poetry always shines through in your encouraging words.

[mattavelli]

knowing yourself is the beginning of wisdom. :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I agree that's why I'm such a baby lol despite my age I still have an enormous amount of growth to do. My personal mantra is Socrates "Know thyself" so thank you for the reference. We as writers strive for this and it truly is a lifetime journey. Thank you Matt for your friendship. I'm wiser for it.

[mattavelli]

i wonder how Socrates got ahold of the term "thyself". maybe he read Shakespeare. haha
“to thine own self be true" = "Chickity-check yo self before you wreck yo self"

[Relic]

Yes, for some, writing is like talking to others about your troubles and to escape. Other times, inspiration becomes a motivator. If we can effect the reader the same way a drummer can make people dance, we've accomplished something.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Relic for your informative thoughts. So many things can move and inspire us to write. Some for love of art, some for the hopes of notoriety, some for redemption, catharsis, influence, or to inspire. Only the heart of a writer knows the true intent. And in the end it will be up to the reader if there is value in the words, or if they are worthy to dance to as you eloquently describe. We as writers simply hope to find a small space in the heart of our readers. Thank you again my friend.

[Fran Marie]

so true each word of this poem
we poets are like this; yeah we are
writing to remember and also forget
and so much unsaid also when one
reads between the lines * unwritten*
Its all laid out there as we bare our
souls in bleeding ink..

nice work Carlos

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Fran your words really mean a lot to me because it was exactly the message I hoped to instill in the heart of the reader. We are blessed a thousand times to be able to write and share our art with the world. This amazing community of like minded artists aspire no more nor less than I to reach into the heart of our audience in order to influence their souls toward their better humanity. It is arduous work and suffering we endure especially spiritually within our minds. We constantly dissect our own intent to make sure our message is refined to near perfection. Because words matter to us, our message matters to us. It is everything and at times nothing. Because what becomes of the art unread? We bleed for it. This is our writer's journey to the obscure and unforgettable.

[Fran Marie]

exactly a never-ending journey .
for we who have to write .you're s o welcome