[stylist] Chris and William, RE: Poem - "Magician"

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

I feel that for an author to have to state the meaning and intent of a
given piece defeats, to an extent, the general rule of writing. If
readers don't understand our writing, either the wrong audience is
reading, or we haven't been clear enough and should revisit our work to
try to make clearer. I also think it can be cool to see how various
audiences interpret written works. Sometimes you find something
surprising but pleasant. I also think stating intent is directing
readers to an interpretation, and personally, I would rather readers
find that meaning on their own instead of being led, and if they don't,
I refer you back to my first point, smile.

In the case of Bill's poetry, it's a specific type of poetry, one I
enjoy, full of imagery and metaphor. It may not be for everyone, and
it's direct meaning may not always be present for some readers, but
that's okay. Sometimes we need to loosen our minds in order to find that
meaning, and other times, the author needs to be more precise and clear.

And no one hits gold all the time, smile.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jackie
Williams
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2014 10:09 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Chris and William, RE: Poem - "Magician"


Chris, and William, 
The interchange between you and William M.  is so very meaningful for
both of you and all of us. It contains the honest feeling of a reader
containing the frustration of a non-MFA reader's honest effort to
understand and appreciate a piece, but is quite unable to, and the
frustration of a poet in not being able to penetrate the masses with
whom he wants to share his innermost thoughts. You both have succinctly
explained exactly where you are coming from. For your information, the
Poem-a-Day feature has recently taken to adding a feature at the end of
each poem that says, "About this poem," in which the author tells you in
ordinary words what his poem means. 
This has saved me from "throwing out the baby with the bath water," In
many instances. After knowing that, I will read it with much more
appreciation. Because I do not know many people who will go to the
effort that you have done, Chris, perhaps, if we send a poem to this
group, and it is intricately woven in density, perhaps we should include
the same.

Jackie Lee

Time is the school in which we learn.
Time is the fire in which we burn.
Delmore Schwartz	 


-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris
Kuell
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 7:05 AM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Poem - "Magician"

Hey Bill,

I wanted to acknowledge your poem, as I don't believe anyone else has
yet. 
I've read it, let it sit, reread it, and reread it again. I think this
is 
probably one of those poems that has great meaning to you, but I'm
simply 
too dull to get much from it. I like the words, and the phrasing, and
while 
I'm sure it means something, I'm just not close enough to see it.
Perhaps 
the poem is symbolic of something you (the poet) used to be able to do,
with

your blazing words, but the people just don't react the same any more.
Does 
that make me one of your drunken onlookers? If so, that's a role I'm
used to

playing.

Thanks for sharing.

Chris
 


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