in the privacy

in a poem anything is possible

photo courtesy of cbeinternational.org

 

here
in the privacy of a poem
no need to split infinitives
sibilants soothe in other venues
but here my body recognizes the terror
              bids it good day
                      kisses it good night
because here
i am a valiant footslogger
plodding through a life of reality
knowing words will shield
the underbelly of my so called identity

of course
maybe not through tomorrow
and certainly not next week
just here
in the privacy of a poem

Author's Note

who are we? do we hide behind the words?

Reviews

[Frieda P]

The most affecting poetry for me is when someone does lay it all on the line, sometimes our words do get lost in translation, but that's fine too. Once you put it out there, your soft underbelly is exposed, that's what makes us different as poets I think, we yearn for that connection, even in the 'privacy of a poem'...great read as always Lydie!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, Frieda. I appreciate your review. Have a great day. Lydi**

[NeiL ArandA]

I like it Ms Lydia . Your style is quite different . It comes with a class ... an aristocrat in a very pleasant way . I am intrigue with your approach . Thanks for sharing Ms Lydia

[Lydia Shutter]

And thank you, Neil, for the time you took to read my words and leave your review. I appreciate it. Lydi**

[Angi]

I really think that we do hide behind our words, Lydi. Some days we hide under layers and layers of metaphor, simile and form. Other days, we pour it straight out onto paper knowing that it can stay private or be exposed when we take that deep breath and send it out into the world. It depends on how deep a reader is willing to look, how much they work to break down the words. The words sometimes hide out in the open and that is what I love about poetry. There are so many possibilities to discover! Ha! Made me think this morning, didn't ya?? Love that. Angi~

[Lydia Shutter]

YES! It depends on how deeply the reader looks....you have it exactly right, Angi! Glad I made you think! Thank you for the wonderful review. Lydi**

[Chris]

but is any thought ever truly private in all the world's eyes?

[Lydia Shutter]

good question considering drones and listening in to phone conversations.....of course thoughts kept to oneself are always private! have a nice day.

[Mia]

The best part of poetry for me is that people read the same thing and see it differently. I could tell you all of my secretes and you wouldn’t know them. On the other hand I could tell you my secretes and you would know them. How much of me I share is up to me and sometimes it also depends on how deep someone is willing to look. There is also so much room to be what you choose and not who you are. I like to believe that I have made connections with people simply because of poetry. Just two people loving the same words at the same time. I’m babbling…I loved this poem Lydi! The concept, the wording…it was great for me!

[Lydia Shutter]

And I enjoyed your "babbling!" You are absolutely right...our words can connect us and no one knows what the poetry truly meant by what she/he wrote. The reader interprets the words in his/her own way. Thank you for your wonderful review, Mia. have a great day. Lydi**

[Joyce S. Greene]

Sounds like you're describing Dreaming Room, Lydi. The art of showing, rather than telling. An essential part of Japanese form poetry, I might add. Not an easy art to master, but so effective when done well. Another well written poem from a very gifted poet.

[Lydia Shutter]

You know I am not all that familiar with the Japanese forms, but apparently they come naturally to me! LOL Thanks for the review, Joyce. Have a great day. lydi**

[SyberRose]

I like to write in metaphors a lot and from my heart but at the same time I like to keep the reader
in suspense wondering and trying to interpret what I am saying...I like what Jack said below...we tell it all without telling a thing ha...Rose:)

[Lydia Shutter]

Precisely! Thanks for the review, Rose. Lydi**

[Desert Knave]

Excellent. I think, from my vantage, that words sometimes allow me both a bravado and a soapbox, and I do indeed hide behind them on occasion. I know I certainly am, at the very least, overshadowed by them ... as the one person who mistook the poet for the person can well attest. Very thought-provoking write from you. Kudos. ~Jim

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks very much, JIm! Lydi**

[00000000000000000000000..]

That was beautiful. I think we all have asked ourselves at 1 time or another who am I, I think a lot hide behind the words. But when we come to see the light of a write that's when it transforms, And ill have to say you have transformed many minds with all your profound writes. You be an awesome woman to meet cause I bet you have a lot stories you could tell.

[Lydia Shutter]

I am honored by your words, Jon. Thank you. Lydi**

[0000000000000000000000000000]

Not as honored as I am by yours! Your very welcome:)

[Jack...]

I was telling another on this site, we as poets have a great knack for telling it all without telling a thing, so perhaps the answer to your question is yes. This was one of your best in my opinion Lydi. I loved the theme of this piece, your word usage and just your unique style. Very cool my friend.

[Lydia Shutter]

You knew exactly what I was saying, Jack. We do reveal emotions....but do we reveal them all? Do we leave just enough out to let the reader extrapolate? I really appreciate your review. have a great day. Lydi**