I Have Heard It Said

I Have Heard It Said

 

I’m not, very good with

what I don’t have…

and if, I did

I wouldn’t be mad

but I’ll  never know

so there’s no point

being sad.

and the ones that do…

they strut and they puff

they peer and they shoo

thinking that somehow…

they're better than you!

They’ll gather together

with others that do

to gain satisfaction

for what they hold true!

A strange interaction

begins to ensue…

in envious abstractions

of the others, that do

in a game of subtraction

to assuage their purview

till all that they have

is an empty pursue!

So if… by chance

you meet with a glance

from one of those… do’s

please do, smile at the efface

of their hollow review

for there is no disgrace

in the merits construe

that’s found in a place

of groundless taboo!

 

 

 

© 2023 Robert Trakofler

Author's Note

Robert · I Have Heard It Said

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

I like your honest spoof on hollow reviews! I hope I'm not one of them Robert... But yes, each reader has a different bent to his review...no one is absolutely right, but a hollow one is the worst....in your poem there are the haves and have nots.....it seems that the haves are pretty empty souls who really have nothing to say of any meaning... and that's not YOU!!! well done,
Warmly, B

[Robert Trakofler]

Hello Betty:) why does that sound familiar... Oh "Hey Betty" is a vintage store down the street from me LOL! So much has happened to me these past couple of years... much loss, much pain, much anger... and a healthy dose of frustration. after a slew of rejections from various publications, I guess this poem just came bellowing out from the back of my beleaguered and battered brain. I read so much poetry and much of the contemporary modern stuff I read in current publications is just awful LOL. I say this because I come to sites like this and the work is so much better than what is supposed to be "cutting edge" than it hit me the few publications left out there are just clubs little dying embers of what was... they forgot what makes a poem, a poem! it's not about artistry or beauty or the reflection of emotion to kindle our empathy or understanding it's about what's cool and who's in. Not grand wordplay or clever double meanings quite often its rather droll

[Betty Hermelee]

A very honest comment Robert; I hope you enjoy the holidays even though it seems like the timing may be a bit off for you, but there is always hope…..
Warmly
B.

[William Michael Reeves]

There you are, no longer peering over the edge of your avatar! No longer like a neighbor peering over the fence never seen, like that guy on an old TV show. Good to see you. Better to read you. The haves have not a clue what they truly have having not ever not had. Ignorance is bliss!! And I might quote Solzhenitsyn here ... the less you have, the less you have to lose. I do like to do my best to fully understand a poem and the last line is causing my synapses to misfire. Is the place of groundless taboo where the haves have what they have?

[Robert Trakofler]

I am not by any means an authority of poetic constructs but I think what the author is saying in that last line... (by the way I asked the bunny directly and he just responded "Figure it out for yourself" he's like that Bunny alter egos are by their nature very rude!) what was your question? oh, the last line... I think it means that the preconceived notion of (fill in the blank here) race, money, sexual proclivity, looks... etc are all groundless... these taboos of what we don't have to stand upon a position that magically negates the value of a person because of a preconceived notion of what is right is a silly way to be and one that devalues the person that looks down upon them. I think that is what I meant but as you know there are no rules in poetry just what the reader sees my clever friend

[Robert Trakofler]

I forgot to mention that I am flattered that you took the time to ponder this poem:)

[William Michael Reeves]

Could you repeat that please?!

So what you're saying is what we see in the mirror is very different than what others see of us and what we see is right, as we see ourselves, regardless of what another sees. Right?

There are no rules in poetry, except when there are rules. Let me tell you about Sonnets, Villanelles, Ghazals and ....

[Robert Trakofler]

wow what an interesting perspective

[Robert Trakofler]

There are no rules in poetry, except when there are rules. Let me tell you about Sonnets, Villanelles, Ghazals and ....
LOL I was referring to what the reader sees
The rules of authorship are myriad and ever-evolving:)

[AYVID]

I loved this poem and I loved the fact that you wrote it with such passion and conviction. Writing and the sharing of writing should be a joyful pursuit and must be used to make genuine connections with others like us who connect with words. Each scribbler is unique and his words bear his stamp, his own brand of genius so I feel there is nothing like 'having it'. If an interaction does nothing to reinforce us then it should be avoided. Hollow reviews....? I'd rather not have any review than a hollow one. Two words written with love and appreciation are far better than pages of finely scripted hypocrisy. Thank you for this poem, dear Bunny. Your poetry always touches me deeply.

P.S. That's a great pic of you! :)

[Robert Trakofler]

oh you always did "have an eye" I had pumped so many meanings into these lines from money to race and looks the politics of sexuality what is right in the eyes of society and yes even in others' artworks:) your always a clever one dear Divvy! speaking of lines I chose that picture because it shows all of my lines some people hate their true lines but I rather love them they are marks of distinction and badges of perseverance :) thank you for making my morning so bright

[AYVID]

You look very nice and lines do really enhance you. They become you, dear Bunny. I'm so happy to reconnect. Its a joy always.

[Stella Armour]

Good morning Bunny , i enjoyed your recording but for some strange reason i find i cannot down load any of mine lately to the Cafe or Facebook ?

[Robert Trakofler]

are you using soundcloud?

[Stella Armour]

Yes bunny x

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL that was the only thing that worked for me my memory was a little sketchy on the other stuff I dont post as much as I used to

[Stella Armour]

I tend to come and go with posting , have a text from it for a few months and then come back , but then again I don’t write much these days … no inspiration I am afraid 😧

[Stella Armour]

Rest not text lol