[stylist] Poem: "Falling"

[William L Houts]

HI Jackie,

Thanks, as always, for the attention you gave my poem.  As far as the 
animosity towards sighted onlookers goes, I think the feeling is more 
like ambilance.  It doesn't say, "God I hate those people" but rather 
"God love them".  It's not hateful, in my intention, only a little cranky.

It does look like it's about time for me to start using the spellchecker.

Thanks again, Jackie.  I always look forward to your comments.


--Bill



On 10/2/2016 7:16 AM, Jackie Williams via stylist wrote:
> Bill,
> I had hoped to do a deeper critique of both of your poems, "Falling," and
> "Coffee Mug," but other e-mails crowded in.
> Let me just say that Chris found the errors, and, Yes, I would recommend
> that you get over any animosity toward the spell checker, and use it
> consistently. When I remember, it picks up spaces, and all kinds of things I
> might miss.
> Coffee mug uses a word brail. Did you mean Braille?
> Your old style comes out in this poem. While inventive, it does interfere a
> bit with its accessibility. Our poets who read it, got your meaning.
> I like that you gave such meaning to a Walmart coffee mug.
> Falling was much more to my taste as I have had that experience with its
> consequent challenge to getting up with "bloody knees," and carrying on with
> determination.
> I did feel a bit of negativity to the on-lookers of this in your poem.
> My experience is very positive about everybody who has been close to one of
> my wobbly mishaps. Most curiosity is always mixed with helping in whatever
> way that they know how to. If not always appropriate, the intent is
> well-meaning.
> Did I misread your assessment of the "seeing" population?
> Your poems are always a challenges, and I look forward to more.
>
> Jackie Lee
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William L
> Houts via stylist
> Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2016 2:17 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Cc: William L Houts
> Subject: [stylist] Poem: "Falling"
>
> HI Fellow Scribblers,
>
>
> Here's a poem I've been working on for months and just finished today,
> after many puzzlements.  Unlike many or most of my poems, this one deals
> directly with issues we face as blind folk.  I do hope for comment on
> this one, as I expect that it's sentiments may mirror some of your own.
> Poem follows below, under signature.
>
>
>
> --Bill
>
>
> ---
>
>
> Falling
>
> copyright 2016 William L. houts
>
> United States of America
>
> All Rights Reserved
>
> I'm wobbly and blind besides, taking
>
> as dangerous walking jaunts
>
> to the coffee stand, the ferry, the deli
>
> around the corner. The afternoon sky can seem
>
> too bright or too dark, depending.
>
> And sidewalk shadows stand to menace
>
> disruptive as sirens. .
>
> But you can't justtumble flat, whacked
>
> with fear of falling, the failure
>
> of a foolish braihn triumphant:
>
> William, I say, arise and walk,deny
>
> the pathos of all these crowding ghost
>
> defeats: greet with sneers their lies..
>
> Decline to faint in the face
>
> of shame-loud grating horns:
>
> Born with planets at your back,
>
> you're soul's full of risings.
>
> Gravity's grip is harsh where bones
>
> and sidewalk meet: agreed.
>
> but proudly bear your bloodied knees,
>
> and ease the sighted, who sometimes gasp,
>
> god love them, at toylike pains;
>
> or so it seems when the sun's enough
>
> to bait you into the sly devouring street.
>
>
>
>


-- 


"It's clever, but does it answer the Sphinx?"