I have to admit, I have never been one for poetry. I just didn't get it. I would read it. I could write it. I didn't get it. Kind of like how some people can do Algebra, but not understand it. But, I have always been interested in poetry.
I enjoy writing. I have a lot of thoughts bouncing around in this head of mine. Getting those thoughts out of my head and onto paper...coherently...has been tough. But, like anything, the more you do it the easier it is. I didn't say better, but easier. Better definitely takes more work.
So, after about twelve years from writing my first short stories - which were more or less putting thoughts on paper - I really got the urge to write again. Not just write for the sake of writing either. I wanted to try and take my thoughts, manipulate the words and let the imagination take it from there.
Could I do this? Could I really convey thoughts, feelings and imagery so someone else could see, feel and understand? Me?
I shrugged my shoulders and began writing. Read and rewrite. Read and rewrite. I bought thesauruses and dictionaries. Read and rewrite. Low and behold, I had something I could nod at and feel okay about. Not great, but I like where I'm going.
What does all of this have to do with poetry? Well, I was put in a situation where I needed to give people a glimpse of my story without them having to read the eighty-seven pages I had so far. I read the story numerous times. Each time images played in my head at particular points. Anxiousness, pride, strife, grief, uncertainty. I found myself compelled and just writing a few words to describe the feelings. I ended up with three pieces: Aria Will Make Us Strong, Would He Remember? and Seven Moons.
Now, I'm puzzled. I like what I wrote. To me it had emotion and conveyed what I was trying to say. But, can you write poetry about something that isn't real? Can you write poetry about a story? Before I came to Triond, I had some people read it. One response was, "...my bosom was heaving like in the poem in anticipation and anxiety of the unknown...". That's when I got it. That's when I understood. It's the connection. It's getting someone to feel or understand.
I'm glad I did it. I think I understand now. When I read poetry from people here on Triond such as; Lauren Axelrod, MMV Abad, Pamela Shrove, Liane Shcmidt, Debbie Berk, Allison Jae, and many more...I'm actually blown away by the power of the words.
I get it. I like it. At least I think I get it. I certainly enjoy it now.
