| Author | Message | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 325 Registered: 01-2005 |
To My Grandson Upon Reading His First Poem Beware of words. You will never look the same at the world around you. Words are sparks to set off little fires if you’re lucky, to start storms in the sky of your boyhood. You will be forced to reduce every experience to metaphor. Know that sometimes even the best intentioned stanza has a tendency to veer off by itself into something you never planned. Be cautious of the moon and stars for always there will be temptation to hang them in your poems. Do not trouble yourself if no one understands: be prepared to explain yourself endlessly in couplets and quatrains. Learn to see what only you can see. The fir tree heavy with snow outside your window becomes winter with just a few words. Every season will have you rushing to write; don’t fight it--when spring comes you will describe the first crocus, your first love--for every poet is a lover and a slave to language. Words will bumble in your brain as surely as the first bee stings the calendula. Prepare yourself for the fallow times when nothing you feel will jump into verse. Become conscious of every drop of rain, of the way the river swells and recedes. There will come days you will write poems you will show to no one--for every poet eventually betrays everyone he loves. Become a poet and you will never be completely happy or completely sad again. | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 5709 Registered: 07-2001 |
Every grandson should be a poet. Every grandson should have a poem. Smiles. Gary The Eye of the Coming Storm http://www.mindfirerenew.com/ | ||
| R D McManes
Advanced Member Username: mac Post Number: 207 Registered: 03-2001 |
yep, once the words start flowing, things can never be the same. lol there are worse things he could be. ;) enjoyed.. Mac | ||
| Michael MV
Senior Member Username: michaelv Post Number: 1083 Registered: 11-2003 |
T, Enjoyed this wise advice  for all ages poets & not poets a pick of the week Michael (MV) | ||
| Zephyr
Senior Member Username: zephyr Post Number: 3341 Registered: 07-2003 |
Teresa, Hope your grandson treasures this beautiful poem - now I'm curious to read his.  | ||
| Lazarus
Intermediate Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 363 Registered: 10-2005 |
 -Teresa This shows a mastery of poetry, life and patience, and yet you managed to keep it simple. I love everything about this poem. “Something sacred, that's what they want” -Jim Morrison. From the movie “The Doors.” | ||
| Kathy Paupore
Senior Member Username: kathy Post Number: 2767 Registered: 12-2003 |
Teresa, a very enjoyable read. K | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 326 Registered: 01-2005 |
Gary, Mac, Michael, Zephyr, Lazarus, and Kathy, Thank you so much for the positive comments on my poem. My grandson (age ten) read me his poem over the phone so I don't have a copy in my hands to show you. It was a sweet little poem about winter, snow, and Christmas. He was soooo proud to read me his poem as he knows his grandma is a poet. When I do get him on the phone again, I'll write it down so I can post it in this thread. Thanks again everyone! Teresa | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 6013 Registered: 11-1998 |
Ah, this is the kind of advice every beginning poet should be given, Teresa. It is sage, but it is also humble. My only suggestion would be to end here: "There will come days you will write poems you will show to no one--for every poet eventually betrays everyone he loves." In fact, I would flip the order of those final thoughts, like this: "Become a poet and you will never be completely happy or completely sad again. There will come days you will write poems you will show to no one--for every poet eventually betrays everyone he loves." In my opinion, that makes for a much stronger close. Love, M | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 2250 Registered: 08-2003 |
I like M's idea Teresa. A splendid read throughout. So tender and filled with insights he will come to appreciate throughout his life. Well done. E | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 3546 Registered: 07-2002 |
Teresa, Both my sons write poetry. One is 9, the other 12. I will share this with them--I think it will be very meaningful for them. Agree with M's thoughts for the ending. Enjoyed this. Thank you. ljc http://ljcbluemuse.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 327 Registered: 01-2005 |
M, E, and Lisa, Thanks for the kind words. And, M, thanks for your fine suggestion to make the close that much stronger--I will make the change. For those interested, my daughter emailed little Timmy's poem this morning. He just turned ten. Winter Winter is a time When the ground is sparkly From white snow People gathering Around the fire with hot cocoa Some sledding, some skiing, Some snowmen. And even snowball fights And the best part of all Is Christmas. My best, Teresa | ||
| Lazarus
Intermediate Member Username: lazarus Post Number: 372 Registered: 10-2005 |
*Chills* A fine poem, make sure to tell Timmy so. “Something sacred, that's what they want” -Jim Morrison. From the movie “The Doors.” | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 332 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks, Lazarus. Timmy will be very pleased that you like his poem. Best, Teresa | ||
| Cary
Intermediate Member Username: ponderlust Post Number: 460 Registered: 07-2005 |
Teresa... What a wonderful poem you have here... and certainly there is nothing more noble in its purpose. You just about summed it all up in "You will never look the same at the world" and the exemplification is simple yet beautifully effective. Reading this reminds me of Billy Collins in his poem "Introduction to Poetry" when he wrote that "all readers want to do is torture a confession out of a poem, to beat it with a hose to find out what it really means"... An addendum you might want to consider is something that addresses the dangers of cliche. Maybe warn your grandson to treat cliche like a wet dog. Cary... (Message edited by ponderlust on December 05, 2005) | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 333 Registered: 01-2005 |
Cary, Thank you so much for the kind and generous comments. Btw, that's one of my favorite Collins' poems. I could, indeed, add a stanza that dealt strictly with cliche --though my "moon and stars" line was meant to imply that in a small way. Thanks again, Teresa | ||
| Supafly
Advanced Member Username: supafly Post Number: 136 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wow this is amazing, I'm especially impressed by the ability of the voice to be so objective about a topic so subjective and to be so thorough about a topic I never managed to put into words myself! And somehow still poetic! great work -Supafly | ||
| Teresa White
Intermediate Member Username: teresa_white Post Number: 338 Registered: 01-2005 |
Supafly, thank you very much for your kind comments! Best, Teresa |
