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

Tue Apr 29 21:37:01 UTC 2014

HI Bridgit,

I think I've said this before, but I've got no problem double dipping:  
thanks for the kind words about my work, and for your wise counsel on 
reading poetry in general.  I've come to think of you as one of the true 
elders on this list, and always read your comments with interest.

--Bill

On 4/29/2014 12:03 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
> 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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-- 
"Let's drink a toast now to who we really are."

           --Jane Siberry