poetry for us

poetry for us

A Poem by sL

I have to write my poetry all in one stanza--often struggling to enter a new line
and I have to connect all of my lines with these conjunctions 
so that the reader knows to try to pace the reading in some way
I never stay on topic
but I edit really well
I apply strange punctuation and conventions 
so that the reader knows when to slow down
and I anguish much too much over hoping it makes sense
and I worry that this hoping gets in the way of me ever developing a clear message
and by the time I get just one simple thought down 
many many more have appeared
and nothing simple is ever the results
And only twelve lines in
I'm already discrediting
line one
but, that's my prerogative, 
right?
This is poetry for my generation
This is poetry for me
and for those of you who are in  
That specific group of humans who came of age at that same specific time
We have had brilliant role models in whom we have found power and strength
They have inspired us to think and to feel and to introspect so that we could perhaps come to understand the world as only poets do
But they don't' represent us 
And really, 
they can't speak for us
And we're kind of f*****g up 
as a group or a generation (maybe cohort is the word)
Right here--
at this point in the poem--
I want to get specific
I want to address you all by name, 
but then I have this compulsory feeling 
that this is poetry for every one 
I must directly relate it to 
every 
one 
and if I reference pop culture then my poetry can't be timeless. 
I know that this isn't true and I know 
that just as a reference to God does not demand readers have faith
a reference to Gaga does not demand my readers completely relate.
Certainly, if Ginsberg can do it, then so can I.
And 
this is supposed to be poetry for me.
Our older sisters and brothers are doing quite well 
and our nieces and nephews are blowing our minds
They're representing their cohorts with grace and I find inspiration in them--Power and strength
But friends,
We have to get out there and tell our own stories
and I know that I haven't done that much 
but I'm trying to some
Here I've gotten down one simple song
and have no f*****g clue if I've made clear my meaning
I guess I'll keep writing

© 2018 sL


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Featured Review

i get it...and yes, you keep on topic so well...the topic of am i making sense---am i?

well often we are to more people than we think, and not just poets..

we can get the punctuation perfect and yet we think great form, crazy content.

and often our lives are like that.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

I agree with the ending dear poet.
"Here I've gotten down one simple song
and have no f*****g clue if I've made clear my meaning
I guess I'll keep writing"
The above lines are what, we who love to write. Do. Keep writing. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

Posted 3 Years Ago


Each one of us has our own poetic voice. We are all different. I heard yours, keep writing.

Chris

Posted 4 Years Ago


I smiled the whole time while reading. I really, really love your voice & style. Excellent piece. You're very talented!

Posted 4 Years Ago


Compartment 114
Compartment 114
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I listened, you spoke clearly and well. BUT - always a but isn't there - we don't often control what others "see" within our thoughts - regardless of our clarity OR intent ...but we DO try.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

This poem has add. And a general anxiety disorder. Also, definitely bipolar but not full blown... it still made good sense. You should keep writing.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

sL

4 Years Ago

I love that you diagnosed my poem. Thank you!
I would love to here Emily Dickinson or Robert Frost here you say "and have no f*****g clue if I've made clear my meaning" or "And we're kind of f*****g up." haha

Keep writing.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Never quit writing... you got your own style, keep ya chin up and enjoy it...

Neville

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

A Gen X write if ever there were one. As a Gen X'er ... I get it. With nothing left for us to do we had to think up something new:)

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

i get it...and yes, you keep on topic so well...the topic of am i making sense---am i?

well often we are to more people than we think, and not just poets..

we can get the punctuation perfect and yet we think great form, crazy content.

and often our lives are like that.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 7 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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9 Reviews
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Added on July 11, 2016
Last Updated on May 20, 2018

Author

sL
sL

About
I joined this site simply because I hope to write more and to read more. more..

Writing

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