Greetings bratpack, sitting here picking thorns out of my fingers and leaves out of my hair..wild blackberry picking again but I left plenty for the birds. Been pondering this poetry thing after someone asked me if I make money from it and if not why do it. When youve made a statement like that I know its pointless to give an impassioned speech so I just give the short version I love writing, whereupon they shake their head at the notion of toiling for scant financial gain. When I first began sharing my soul on here I checked out some Irish poetry sites and publications to find some kindred souls and frankly I almost threw in the towel there and then. The ones I came across had such an element of snobbery attached, so much rigid insistence that poetry should read a certain way, follow rules, try to emulate dead poets so revered by those in the hallowed hallways of higher education. I left school at a young age to work and the only poetry Id been exposed to was that which was driven into our heads by being made to recite it till we knew it backwards..I still hate those poems with a vengence. A reflection on the teacher not the poets. Some think poetry has been sullied, reduced to a pop version of a classical aria. That its pretentious to refer to yourself as a writer and uncouth to court fame or recognition. I dont understand this mode of thinking, why must we wait till people die to laud them. I think of all the great painters and poets who died penniless, feeling their efforts were worthless.. how much easier to go to your deathbed knowing that your work touched someone. How must it feel to have enough to live on simply by doing that which makes you feel alive. I love yeats and dylan thomas but I have no wish to write like them, I want the words to be mine..the keening of my soul. Nothing will ever diminish their words and classical poetry will always be revered by those who worship the craft but..poetry should not be elitist it should be of the people and for the people. Just like music..my dad was a trained tenor, I get my love of classical music from him but he taught me to love many genres not just one and so it is with my love of the written word. My daughter loves music, has an amazing capacity to memorise lyrics but cant hold a tune..I still love to hear her sing in the shower though because its joyful. If something makes you happy..do that. You may never be rich or famous but youll be celebrating the art of living..with passion. May the day be kind to you. Keep the faith, love ya x
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:08:05 +0000
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