"My Take On Poetry" (an interview)

Short Composition

"My Take On Poetry"

Forenote:

   While digging through my archives, I came upon this little composition from 1972, someone may find interesting, entertaining, or even informative.

   It is from a conversation between Leona, a novice poet and one of my students (also, a sophomore English major at SMU, in Dallas, Texas) and I, that was recorded on a reel-to-reel tape and transcribed by her into type as a grade paper.

   The composition is her format, but the wording is exactly as I spoke it.

  The introduction Rhyming Couplets poem is by a poet friend, who generously permitted it to be included ... I think it befits the moment and sets the tone perfectly.

 

~ Introduction ~

 

Poetry is a gift, the ability to show one's inner-self,

much as a proprietor displays his wares, upon a public shelf.

 

The ability to write in rhyme, makes not the poet,

but that he writes sincerely, and his readers know it.

 

That he can raise a tear, a smile, enlightenment, or query;

perhaps, shed moments of enlightenment, upon a subject dreary.

 

He doesn't need to be a scholar, knowing how to spell,

but simply one who starts a task, and tries to do it well.

 

But, most of all, the poet is a person, not in part, but whole;

for, when he writes he opens up … the gateway to his soul.

 

~ John F. Price ~

"theatercats"

______*______ 

 

  "Tell me, Richard, exactly what your take on poetry is," she said. 

  "Hmm?" I replied. "Let me think on that for a bit......!"

 

  "Well, Leona, to me, more than anything else, poetry is a brilliantly creative way for humans to express who they are, what they feel, and believe, and to touch one another without physical contact.

   As human beings, we experience and share a vast array of emotions, all of which are transient in nature.  The way we feel and what we think can change more often than the weather, with even less predictability. 

   I look upon my own poetical efforts, for example, as attempts to capture a moment's feelings in verse upon the page, much like a photographer records what they see through their lens onto film. 

   While looking back on what I've written over the years reminds me of what I felt when I wrote it, it does not necessarily reflect what I feel today. 

   One must realize, too, that when reading poetry, the desire is to connect on some level with what the poem is saying, and when one relates well, the tendency to do so is in the here and now. 

   Then, that which one writes ... what I write ... may afford a partial glimpse of who I am, but the whole of me remains impossible to see, or to even be glimpsed through mere words. 

   Yet, how truly wise we are when each one of us, who is gifted with the inherent talent of self-expression, comes to realize that we are rare and unique, indeed; especially, if we are fortunate in faithfully and honestly following this legacy. 

   For instance, if poetry were to try and express the full measure of the man in me; that it were to aspire to embrace the totality of my essence, it would be but a very weak reflection of the man/the person I am ... a misty shadow, if you will. 

   Poetry, may then well become but a very weak pursuit for a man and for a woman, but not now, and not in the life and skin in which I live; for, whether all that pours forth from my pen to page comes from some place fanciful or factual, it all originates from something I've lived, learned, dreamed, or deeply and characteristically (almost instinctively) understood within me ... a place as natural as breathing, or the quick, unaware blink of an eye, while the heart beats independently and the soul soars free on its own accord." 

 

   "I am not sure if this will adequately satisfy your question, Leona, but it is all for now I have to offer; yet, not all I know or feel for it, from it, or about it … " poetry, that is." 

 

 

Richard W. Jenkins

©1972

Today, I could offer more, but I can't say I feel any
significantly different now than I did in 1972.
Could be, I just need to grow-up ... LOL!

Author's Note

As always, constructive critique (and praise) is welcome. : )

Some might or might not agree with this, or you may feel it went too far, did not go far enough, etc; also, I would love to hear your own Take On Poetry and/or where you think my responses in this interview may have gone awry. C'mon, friends, get involved here … I know we all have our own thoughts on poetry many would be interested in, and we might learn something new from each other, too, eh? : D

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Richard for sharing your thoughts on writing and poetry.
" Poetry, may then well become but a very weak pursuit for a man and for a woman, but not now, and not in the life and skin in which I live; for, whether all that pours forth from my pen to page comes from some place fanciful or factual, it all originates from something I've lived, learned, dreamed, or deeply and characteristically (almost instinctively) understood within me ... a place as natural as breathing, or the quick, unaware blink of an eye, while the heart beats independently and the soul soars free on its own accord."
I did like the above lines. i dream write and I put to paper later. Some of us, we must write. I believe. We need someone to write down things about the world we lived in. To show the new generation. The struggles and the good days of the past. Thank you for the outstanding work.
Coyote

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, John 🙏

Always, your keen, insightful ability to express appreciation, praise, and understanding let a poet know their efforts to write for and please at least one reader have not gone unfulfilled.

You are so very welcome, my fine friend!
May the gift of a lovely weekend be blessed upon your kind self, Syr! Richard🖌

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[bluessadmood]

poetry who could tell what is it..its simply magic
turns simple words and images into unique stories...

[Richard🖌]

Hey there!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I agree with your description.
read moreHey there!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
I agree with your description.

Glad you came along and shared! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Ken e Bujold]

A well-reasoned, thoughtful attempt to define the almost undefinable. I wholeheartedly agree with the phrase, "transient in nature". For myself, if asked this question, my response would be...Poetry is whatever one wishes it to be. But, to be done well, it requires a few ingredients: a love of life (which need not always be lovingly described) a love of language, and most importantly an open eye to the world you inhabit. Poets, in my view, are mankind's emotive reporters. When it works, poetry is as filling and as necessary as any meal one can imagine.
Ken e

[Richard🖌]

Thank you so very much, Ken 🤜✫🤛

For your time spent in reading and sharing your own insightful, relatable, and interesting twists on what poetry is … still, we both know there is not enough ink and parchment to reveal it all -- as tho' we could. 😏

You make me happy to share! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Richard🖌]

A Free Verse you might enjoy:
"The River, the Clouds, and Us"
https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/1795500/

[heavenscentgirl1]

RICHARD, i believe YOU COVERED THE SUBJECT. WELL CONSIDERING YOUR THOUGHTS ON. POETRY. I AGREE WITH MOST OF YOUR RESPONSE! I DO WANT TO ADD THAT I WRITE POETRY TO ALLOW THE PASSION, HURT, LOVE AND GENERALLY ALL FEELINGS TO BE RELEASED AND SHARED WITH OTHERS. HSG😇👍

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Mary Jo : )

Thanks for reading this review of my take on poetry, for sharing your own version, and comments.
Yes, poetry can be cathartic and therapeutic … we all have our reasons for writing, and it will be different with every poem, with every thought, with every mood, at any moment … this is why each of our poems are so different so many times in so many ways.

Bless your weekend with bushels of happiness! ⁓ Richard🖌

[heavenscentgirl1]

YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, BUT IT’S ALWAYS MY PLEASURE! Your response says Read. more but nothing comes. Up? TAKE CARE RICHARD HUGS AND BLESSINGS MJ 🤗🙏😇

[Richard🖌]

The "Read More" in blue opens fine for me, but I'll message it yo you.

[Cherrie]

Richard , What a treasure to find this after all that time has past . A real 🎁 gift just like your talent to create and to inspire.

[Richard🖌]

Well, "Howdy, Cherrie!" : )

Yes, it was fun coming across this old review … brought back some nice memories.
Leona went on to earn her doctorate in English Literature from SMU … it does a soul good to have been a worthwhile part in someone's life.
Thank you most humbly and appreciatively for sharing this and for your warm compliment, too.

Big HUGS! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Cherrie]

Howdy cowboy
And good morning

[Richard🖌]

🤠 Howdy, Ma'am,
It shore is swell ta see ya so bright'n early!

[Cherrie]

I get up everyday at 4:30 &sleep in on the weekend getting up about 6:30

[Richard🖌]

Every lady deserves her beauty rest 🥀

[W. Barrett Munn]

I think you pretty much expressed what poetry should be, but maybe not what it is. I read a poem just today - Rattle Online - that was written by a man in prison. In the poem one line said something about being told to write what you were afraid to say out loud.
That to me ties in nicely with what Red Smith said about writing, "You just sit down at the typewriter, open a vein, and bleed."
At the same time, poems do not all have to be so insanely deep - daily needs met is enough. The key, I think, is to tap into the universality of man, those things we all have in common. If you can describe that well and in a new light, the detail will bring about the same emotion is someone else.
W.

[Richard🖌]

Thanks for reading and sharing your view, Mr. Munn.

Note that in the first line answering my student's question, I say, "to me":
"Well, Leona, to me, more than anything else, poetry is a brilliantly creative way for humans to express who they are, what they feel, and believe, and to touch one another without physical contact."
Then, I went on to offer more. But, regardless what I say, what you say, what anyone says, there is always going to be more to say … that's the way it's always been and how it will always be, as long as there are poets with their own minds, and I think that will be eternally. Or, for as eternally long as humanity survives with a pen (or, else wise) to convey what their brain contains.

Thanks again, and take it easy! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Richard🖌]

I apologize for the delete, but the site cut-off the second half of my response to your review.
read moreI apologize for the delete, but the site cut-off the second half of my response to your review.
Still, I sure the second half you see is reasonably the same as when I first clicked "Post Comment".

[Richard🖌]

Well,It cut my comments off again … go figure!

[W. Barrett Munn]

Yes. I get a lot of double notifications from this site. Do you?

[Richard🖌]

Now, my second attempt is not available … I give up!

[Richard🖌]

There it is, magically!

[Richard🖌]

Since the site went down and came back up, I've received duplicate messages an, of course, cutting review comments in half.
Otherwise, all's the same.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Thanks Richard. Any new writing?

[Richard🖌]

Not new, but new to you. Perhaps, you'd enjoy a little Free Verse piece.
Explaining to a Leaf 
https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/RichardJ/2096521/

[Robert Trakofler]

nope I think you got it:) these thoughts bounce in my head all of the time they are the thoughts of all poets at one time or another the more I read and write these themes come into light these universal themes of conduction now I see them in other forms of artistic expression too and I enjoy the common threads found throughout them as well the sympathetic emotion stirred from the process from the many that wrote before us. In truth, I think they must be experienced to be completely understood like a well-crafted bit of verse that clicks in the synapse of your own understanding! what a treasure you shared in this

[Richard🖌]

G'Mornin', RoBert☀️

A blessing of happiness upon your day, My Fine Friend.
When sharing my writings, it is my hope that at least one reader will be able to understand and relate to my words in a meaningful way, exactly the ways you've expressed you do with this factual recounting from my own life … and, it's no small wonder why you and I get along so well.😌

Thank you ever-so gratefully for sharing your own thoughts, sentiments of our wonderfully complex art, and praise of mine … from such a popular and revered artist as yourself, I feel truly humbled and blessed! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'My Take On Poetry' ad review of me)'
Richard,
Yes writing is a way to express the desires that are within us. Your 'summing up' of what is true for you really gave, I am sure much edification to other people which strive to honestly express their 'life force' through words. I think that another word which describes well the need to write is that life is a 'process.' We are all within a process of life....of maturing, changing, ageing....etc. I love your generous nature. Please continue as I feel your voice is a help to many.
Blessings to you.
Kathy

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, Sweet Kathy,
How beautifully insightful you always speak, leaving the author rather breathlessly grateful, filled to the brim of overflowing, and wishing you'd said even more in your lovely poetic voice.
I'm always left with something special, original, unique, and awe-inspiring from your wondrously brilliant mind, soul, and heart.

A big thank you HUG, Kathy ⁓ Richard x0x

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Thanks Mr. Richard, your the best at feeding your reviewers with plenty of rich encouragement. Your writing and poetry show it too....keep it up!
Kathy

[GreenShoes]

When a member of your family dies, you sit in the office at a funeral home and read poems and decide which one will go on the back of the memorial card. When you've read the right one, you know it, instantly, and every time you reread that poem, the emotions come back. The poet touched you in a very profound way. It is something you will always treasure.

We are introduced to Nursery Rhymes at a young age. The mini-stories in these rhyming verses set the imagination in motion.

What child doesn't like singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? It brings great joy, and what is it? A poem.

Go into any Hallmark store, or any store that sells greeting cards, and you'll be surrounded by poems, because the perfect poem will leave a lasting impression.

[Richard🖌]

Karen,
What beautiful sentiments you've shared with us on poetry, and I wholeheartedly agree … for every situation and thing, there is a poem that fits and/or describes it perfectly.

You've brought back a lot of memories, Karen; I thank you most gratefully for reading this interview and for your enlightening comments on poetry, M'Dear Fine Poetess … big hugs! ⁓ Richard : )

[kitty]

A soul that soars. Unique indeed. Constantly evolving ...like that elusive, beautiful butterfly.. thy words exemplify your being.

[Richard🖌]

Ah, Kitty,
How wonderful of you to look back through my humble offering to come across this rather revealing treatise of my poetical insights and thoughts.

Your words, a sweet poem in themselves, offer praise and beauty beyond any I could have expected, but surely always hope for and warmly appreciate.

Warmest hugs 'n brightest blessings of thanks, Kitty! ⁓ Richard : )

[kitty]

I see a person beneath/beyond the words. Thank you for sharing your skills - as always, much respect!

[Richard🖌]

As do I, the lovely person alive from within your own words, Dear Kitty. ; )