Yes, read Coney Island many years ago . . . was instantly taken. J, this is a great memoir poem. Especially liked your ending.
T
P.S.
Just made a copy of this to hang by my desk. Thanks
T
I first discovered Ferlinghetti in Poetry Magazine several years back. They ran a feature on his artwork, and it wasn't until later that I discovered City Lights. He has lived fully and busily and is a great example to all of us who want to think of poetry as something beyond a moment.
I love that you end with the idea of 'a poem that I could never write.' Some things feel untranslatable, but maybe we only feel they are and in our efforts to convey that feeling we convey more than we meant or thought we could.
This poem has a grand sense of wonder in the everyday. Surprise is possible around every corner, and, also, there is always someone in their everydayness who can fill us with a sense of grandness without even being aware.
Love the dynamic and language of this, Jacob. We are all just works in progress looking up to someone who is a little bit ahead. That was my take away, anyway.
i love your take Eilis----yes, he has lived fully...when i first started writing poetry it was back .. read morei love your take Eilis----yes, he has lived fully...when i first started writing poetry it was back in 1970--part of the inspiration for me to start was studying the Beats in a 1970 Modern American Poetry class...Lawrence was immediately one of my favorites...I picked "I am Waiting" to read in class...long poem but so intense and rhythmic...he is one of the greats...thanks for your visit and kind words,
j.
5 Years Ago
And i also appreciate what you said about all of us being a work in progress...all the way to the en.. read moreAnd i also appreciate what you said about all of us being a work in progress...all the way to the end, we are that, for sure.
5 Years Ago
You’re welcome, Jacob. My pleasure. I’m glad my ideas connected
I love that store, how cool would that be? Was just there earlier this year, then beers at Vesuvio. This was wonderful and filled me up with one of
My favorite areas of SF. You are so good.
The older we get the more wisdom and life experiences we collect help us to define our style of writing.
I know I have come a long ways from the basic poetry I use to write.
Posted 5 Years Ago
5 Years Ago
we do get more wisdom...and so good if we use it...
you surely do my friend,
j.
Woah! I think you just melted my head with this Jacob. Never been to coney Island, but I think my mind just went there.
Writing grows as the heart ages is a poem in itself, but then you surpassed that with your ending. My head is officially melted with the thought "did he think he had just met a poem he did write?"
I would say more, but my brin is drabbling out of my oar right now. Superb.
I love this Jacob I haven’t seen this freestyle write of yours and so used to your metaphors so I was pleasantly surprised loved it like a story thank you
I had never heard of Ferlinghetti until I read this and having just read 'Don't Let That Horse' I am smitten thank you Jacob. This poem in itself is way up there in the gods as you reminisce and paint this encounter for us in only poetry you can write.
I had to look up Lawrence F and read a couple of his poems, not being familiar with his work. I also found out about his connections with City Lights Books. I love browsing in book shops and found myself in an Oxfam book shop last weekend, browsing through some very old poetry books. Love the musty smells and coming across other people's notes scribbled in the margins. How true writing grows as the heart ages. Yes when we can reflect on life's experiences for our material. I like where I journied with this poem Jacob.
Chris
Posted 5 Years Ago
5 Years Ago
thank you so much for taking the journey with me in this poem, Chris...
Ferlinghetti was born.. read morethank you so much for taking the journey with me in this poem, Chris...
Ferlinghetti was born in March of 1919, my dad was born in July of that same year...and Lawrence is one of my two favorite Beat poets along with Robert Creeley.
j.
5 Years Ago
Yes I noticed the date, born 100 years ago, and so close to when your Dad made his entrance. I'll ha.. read moreYes I noticed the date, born 100 years ago, and so close to when your Dad made his entrance. I'll have to read more of both of those poets. Expand my knowledge of American poetry :))
5 Years Ago
has been one of my dreams, or bucket list wishes...to have my books on the shelf in City Lights Book.. read morehas been one of my dreams, or bucket list wishes...to have my books on the shelf in City Lights Books...but alas...i doubt that will ever happen...
j.
5 Years Ago
Never say never Jacob:)
5 Years Ago
i love finding those notes as well...
nothing like the used bookstores....the one here in Car.. read morei love finding those notes as well...
nothing like the used bookstores....the one here in Carbondale closed...they wanted to sell it but no buyers..they had a cat in the store, Casper, who was so sweet and lived to be very old...he was a character and if we sat in the aisles looking at books he would visit...
5 Years Ago
I bet you miss that place. The second hand book shop in Henley sells music as well. Love that place... read moreI bet you miss that place. The second hand book shop in Henley sells music as well. Love that place. I wish they sold coffee there as well:)
There is nothing like a good book store to browse...especially the old ones...the smell...the hushed sense of
being in a sacred place...a place that readers know intimately.
My hometown had a Carnegie library where I would go spend hours...the building is still there...but it is no longer a library.
I remember my first poem...my father asked if I had written it...I guess he had his doubts.
They have grown increasingly better it seems and every now and then one pops up that's not too bad.
but I understand the feeling like "i had just met a poem
that i could never write."
Brilliant, j. well done.
Posted 5 Years Ago
5 Years Ago
thank you, Ted...i imagine your dad would be quite proud of your poetry now...
My dad had man.. read morethank you, Ted...i imagine your dad would be quite proud of your poetry now...
My dad had many doubts about my writing...first he thought it was a hobby that i should not take seriously....then when i first started getting published in magazines he wondered if those were good mags...he actually shared my poems with a published poet who taught at his college to see what that man thought of my writing.
so yes, i understand the doubting thing.
thanks for sharing and understanding.
j.
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..