Writing a great poem
the poet lights a fire
builds a spray of flowers
that is itself a fire.
Between his fingers run
exquisite feelings, stems
to feed the images
he marshalls to his cause.
There's beauty in the blooms
semantic and of sound,
sexual of purpose
though strictly down to earth.
Attraction is the key,
that thought and felt should wed
though intellect by sense
should tenderly be led.
Beside all this, the blooms
poetic visions all
make memorable that
which else is commonplace.
Make memorable the commonplace is an uphill task, and you made it to the top!
ReplyDeleteA good description Dave of that curious process of creation. I like the idea of comparing it to arranging flowers. Although of course it is also more than that, as your poem also suggests.
ReplyDeleteYour metaphors reveal the intimate relationships and secret things that reside in the common. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThe opening stanza sets the mood...I like how you compared it to spray of flowers, the blooms which is everywhere, yet in the hands of the poet, a memorable vision ~
ReplyDeleteGreat work Dave ~
agree on the making the commonplace special....i like how you play this out david...the arrangement of flowers makes a fine metaphor...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Dave... I especially like the third stanza.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this, Dave! Poetry really does make the commonplace noteworthy, and we see them in ways we would not have seen them before!
ReplyDeleteWoww..yes and the last stanza is so good.....
ReplyDeleteThe vivid pictures your words invoke bring out the magic that is poetry to its finest. The metaphors you've used and the overall feel of it leaves the reader with that sense of the deepest connection between humans and the sensual in this world.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this very much Dave.
builds a spray of flowers
ReplyDeletethat is itself a fire.
Especially when the interaction between reader and poet is fueled by sparks of imagination, nicely done!
"that thought and felt should wed"
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it with this line, David. Excellent write!
Lovely ode to poetry and the creative process and, I agree, "Attraction is the key"
ReplyDeleteYes, the process is like a blooming...love this perspective, David.
ReplyDeleteAttraction is the key,
ReplyDeletethat thought and felt should wed...i like that...sometimes i think it's almost like a kind of chemical reaction
I love the creation of a flower arrangement. Its beauty, life and perfume. Like the creation of a living poem
ReplyDeleteHello, Dave King.
ReplyDeleteIt is my joy to share your wonderful work.
And sweet message charms my heart.
I pray for your happiness and world peace.
Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❃
Bing-ho.
ReplyDeletePowerful, perfectly on target, last stanza that all the poem seemed to be on the verge of sparking off.
I agree with it without reserve.
And it's great because it's double-edged, very Frost-like then!
You include an aesthtetic as well as a purpose of poetry. This is what an ars poetica should do, as it embodies both what a poem is and simultaneously shows it in the poem's content. I think you have done both admirably, capturing the what along with the how of poetry.
ReplyDeleteI really like this stanza, Dave:
ReplyDelete"Attraction is the key,
that thought and felt should wed
though intellect by sense
should tenderly be led."
Your words themselves are blooming beautifully. Thank you for this and your thought about pics and poems. It will help me when I will appreciate some paintins that were difficult for me.
ReplyDeletevivinfrance
ReplyDeleteIt is a uphill task yes, but thank you for your kind comment.
Jenny
Yes, agreed. Much, much more!
K McGee
Hi, good to have your company. Thank you for your comment and welcome.
Brian
I had intended to extend the metaphor to the different parts of the flower, but maybe that would have been a metaphor too far! Thanks.
Laurie
Thanks Laurie. Comment much appreciated.
Mary
Yes, one of the top priorities for poetry, I think. Thanks.
Sreeja
Hi, and a warm welcome to you. Thank you for your kind comment.
Daydreamertoo
What a generous comment! I do thank you for it.
chromapoesy
And a nice comment! Thank you very much. Good to have your thoughts.
Marbles in My Pocket
Thanks so much. So glad you thought this.
Frank
Thanks Frank. Much appeciate your comment.
bodhirose
Hi Welcome to the blog and many thanks for your company and feedback.
Claudia
Yes, a very good analogy. Thank you for it.
Tigerbrite
Indeed. Welcome to you. Good to have your reaction. Thank you very much for it.
ruma
Welcome to my blog and many thanks for your lovely message. Every blessing to you.
Tommaso
Thank you so much. As always you do me too much honour - not that I'm complaining. Much thanks and best wishes.
Charles
Thank you veru much indeed. Your comment really reassures me! Very grateful for it.
flipside records
Hi, Good to have you aboard. Thank you for taking the time to comment. It is always useful to know what folk think.
haricot
Great comment - for which I thank you whole-heartedly.
This poem climbs the hill "out of the commonplace into the rare". Your concrete images become wells of thought and each acts as a metaphor for the craft of the poem and ultimately its achievement. As always, brilliant!
ReplyDelete