perfectly okay

artwork by michael créese

words squat on my chest
threatening revolt at the very least
rocks form beneath the landscape of me
dark and doubtful rooms in my psyche fill with ogres
advice from a long ago classroom shouts at me:

keep it pithy
     keep it succinct
          if you wish others to read
               the words you have inked!

alien invasions and conspiracy theories be damned
i have no time for this today don’t you see?
i feel the rain of memories
bullying me into yet another poem
making not one lick of sense to anyone but me
but strangely this time it's perfectly okay

Reviews

[Robert Haigh]

A poet is free to write about any subject, in any style they wish. I write for ME all the time. It is nice to be read, and garner reviews, but in the end, what you think of your own efforts is worth more than outside praise - for me personally, anyway. Popular poetry is not all great, although some of it is, of course. I'm sure you feel free to write any way you choose, Lydia. You have the talent. You don't need the approval of your old teacher now! This poem is MORE than perfectly OK!

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a wonderful review, Robert. Thank you! Yes, we do write for ourselves. Often writing is a catharsis for me. I appreciate the time you took to read and review this one. Lydi**

[Tiana]

You never disappoint me whenever I visit your page, Lydi** ... Always a pleasure to read and just chill on your wonderful writings ...

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Tiana. lydi**

[An owl on the moon]

Words, how you paint with them vast, deep colors and keep them rising around us, even in their silences or wanderings. You remind me of the worlds that words can create, and the light they leave behind.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Craig. I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

This write is far more than perfectly ok. It is more to the perfect end of the spectrum. From the first stellar line to the last it takes the reader in so many directions. Excellence of the first water..

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Ken. Been a long time! Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

Sorry about tht Lyndi. I have been journeying I'm afraid.

[Lydia Shutter]

I just read your latest.....wonderful journal of your travels both physically and emotionally.

[Norah]

This has got to be one of my favorite poems by you..I truly enjoyed reading this and I love the message.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Nora. Lydi**

[Baby Ricochet]

Love this one. Great opening line. Writing can be easiest/ hardest endeavor ever. I've pulled great stuff out of my a*s in 15 minutes and slaved over crap for hours. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Seems like it works great write out of the park or it doesn't most of the time. I think great ideas write themselves & if you try too hard you stall. Great job one this Lydia.

[Lydia Shutter]

You are so right....if writing is a chore, it shows. Thank you, Mark. Lydi**

[barleygirl]

I love that the thoughts in this message are less manicured & flowing & perfect, than your usual glowing & flowing messages. I like the stop-and-start quality to blurting out how it can honestly feel when you're burning to write, but the writing isn't coming out easily. I love the way you got that feeling across, which is so relatable to writers. There's always an inner struggle between writing for others' enjoyment & writing for our own sanity.

[Lydia Shutter]

Exactly!! Thank you so much, Margie. Lydi**

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

I like this. The rhymes seem to convey a meaning all its own. The poem is also relatable, especially the last stanza about the writing experience. Tyfs!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Cyprian. Lydi*

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

You're very welcome Lydi.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

easy for others to say keep it succinct, keep it pithy---but they are not the one writing it....

love the idea of being bullied into yet another poem...especially since i never feel much control when writing...

and as long as it makes sense to the poet...others can have all the theories they want---we know the truth deep inside...sometimes so deeply embedded...our words only skim the surface in relating to others...
but they don't need to know, really.

i certainly relate to this poem...

reading it with perfect background music...listening to Elton John CD..."Don't shoot me, i'm only the piano player"---

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, that is a great accompaniment to the thoughts in this one. You are so right, Jacob, the reader does not really need to know why the words were written. Readers interpret as they wish. Thanks so much for the review. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the artwork and words dear Lydia.
"words squat on my chest
threatening revolt at the very least
rocks form beneath the landscape of me
dark and doubtful rooms in my psyche fill with ogres
advice from a long ago classroom shouts at me:"
The above lines. Allow the reader to fall into the thoughts of the writer. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

You honor me with the reviews you leave. Thank you. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my honor dear Lydia. Little time for reading. Inventory at work. I will catch up in August and you are welcome.