STRAWBERRY fIELDS

I sometimes did an experiment

with my students because perspective

is everything, well, except for the

lies we tell ourselves. Because’ like

the song says, “Nothing is real.”

“Ladies and gents, take out a

piece of paper… cover it so

no one can see. Now draw

a picture of a table.”

And they would.

Pencil tops waving, looking around,

to draw tangled sticks and trapezoids,

or, from the ones who cared,

elegant Queen Annes. None

of them the same. Every one a

definition

of the same word, the same

familiar physical object,

solid and real.

It makes me wonder,

from my perspective, this me,

greater than the sum of my parts

who looks at you the way I do and

breathe the words,

“You are the apple of my eye,

and your lips are strawberries,”

if you have any idea what I mean.

Reviews

[Ken Simm.]

As an artist I would encourage my students to look, really look at a table and then draw it. Once they knew the rules for drawing a table. In perspective then they could choose to change them. But I know what you mean. I did similar things with colour.
I enjoyed the hell out of this poem on perception especially in love.From one teacher to another.
Does our perception depend on our perception? And my home grown organic strawberries are my favourite fruit at the moment. They always were on my breakfast.

[Vol]

Ken,
I grew up in a family of artists and understand. Somehow the world is different when seen through the eyes of artistic analysis... as though the air is clearer, and the masks fall away,/.
Vol

[E.P. Robles]

Through a simple yet effective classroom exercise, you invited your young readers to reflect on the subjective nature of perception and the challenges of truly understanding one another. The shift from a broader philosophical reflection to a personal musing on affection underscores the poem's emotional depth and its relevance to both intellectual and everyday experiences.

[Poetic_Vixen]

That is one clear way to look into minds, learn perspective, the disparity in minds always gets in way of our hearts often feeling the same way, I wonder of those different figures that came out of one single word, somehow this has induced a way deeper idea to me and then I meet the line 'you're the apple of my eye, and your lips are strawberry,' I like how it simply gives a cheesy end with sweetness left at wake of an evocative idea.

[Vol]

Vixen,
I understand the use of consistency in imagery, construction, values, themes, symbols, et.al. When I began this poem some years ago my thought was to do something with the difficulties inherent in communication. There is the thing itself. a rectangular dining table vs. a round one vs. a coffee table...but all are still physical objects. Abstract concepts like freedom, happiness, wisdom etc., are even more difficult to pin down. My plan was to make an obvious contrast between what we say, what we mean, what someone hears, what someone understands.. The dramatic shift from one to the other was deliberate. What are all the many elements you hear that give meaning to the words “I love you?”
Vol

[Poetic_Vixen]

That is one interesting point to carry along, I believe that the philosophers, playwrights and dramatist of all those old times were the ones that touched close to those abstract elements of life, Euripides was one I have learned of and then there was Arthur Miller, when I read them or hear of the reviews on their work I feel quite closer to the variety of concept love, the use of arts is a sensual way to explore a heart tied with our soul, while these complicated things may be true, I often send music as way to say I love you...

[Vol]

Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne"

[Stella Armour]

It is like both poetry and art, the artist / poet writes or paints the image , and the observer takes from it their own interpretation ..
I have a painting ( in my photos on here), just done at will in one color plus white of a woodland path someone saw it and said what a lovely underwater scene so i said "if that is what you see, then that is what it is"
Cherry lips are kissable too .... 🍒

[Vol]

Stella,
My long-lost cousin, Now you've made me think... I'm not sure there is a lip flavor I would not enjoy... But red will always be my favorite...
Vol

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Did you intend "breathe the words"? That was how I read it.
Interesting is this poem. Anything not concrete can be thought of in figurative terms and one thing can stand for another. But we usually think of a table, a glass, a computer as objects rather than concepts.
I guess we are wrong...because the concept of these objects changes with the one who views them.
This poem gave me food for thought and also an idea that I might use in my class.
thank you, Vol.
j.

[Vol]

Thanks on all counts, Jacob... It is bad enough that I can't spell worth beans, but my typing is even worse...
The exercise was intended to explain the difficulties inherent in communication in the context of care in word choices. What do you teach Jacob?
Vol

[Thomas W Case]

Superb work. Perspective is everything.

[Poetic Beauty]

Everyone’s perspective is different and our realities are different from how others perceive us and our realities. They are always changing based on experiences and mood. Well written deep thought poem but oh those strawberry lips that entangle us with flavor!!

[Vol]

PB,
One off the most important reasons red is my favorite color. Life without passion is ... what? Numbers? I posted a poem some many moons ago called "Gimme Some o' that" addressing the importance of taking the biggest bites out of life you can manage. Strawberry lips... mmmm!
Vol

[Poetic Beauty]

So I’m a raspberry, peach, watermelon or blackberry kind of girl lol now a man I want to taste of oak whiskey spice, clove, cinnamon, coffee or something similar. Those notes of sweet tangled with spice.

I agree that life should be filled with passions of all sorts. It is meant to be savored not simply prepared at a rushed pace

[Vol]

PB,
Amen... Life is as delicious as we make it....
Vol

[Poetic Beauty]

I agree with that.
Life can be delicious. So many amazing things especially nature and books. Oh my love of books, anything to do with the written word really. Pens, journals, books, paper calligraphy. I also like to paint. Haven’t done it in years and I’m not very good at it but I do love it lol

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Beauty,.. to be Artistic is Harmony,. To compose the Music 🎶 for a Song is Orchestrating fields of Lavender to dance and be Blessed. Softly, Pat

[Vol]

PB,
Imagine a non-sensual life! OMG! What a waste!
Vol