General Discussion : The Poetry Archive @eMule.com
Um, very powerful and moving.
"Everything that is strong in feeling and everything that excites a sudden reaction from a remote source immediately dislocates the complex mechanism of language: silence - blankness - the eloquence of the moment." (Valéry)
rikki :)
Nonsense! This masterpiece won the world's title for the shortest poem, beating out such close contenders as,
Who?
You!
Oh,
No!
And,
I,
Y?
Sez it all, far as I'm concerned.
Topics of or related to poetry.
any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: jason (199.176.244.---)
Date: December 22, 2021 01:06PM
can anyone tell what they think this poem means. Im having a tough time with it so far and i need some help. thanks
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Pat Hathaway (209.102.88.---)
Date: December 22, 2021 09:46PM
This poem is seriously handicapped by its lack of words.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Leiv (193.216.206.---)
Date: December 23, 2021 05:27AM
Pat Hathaway wrote:
>
> This poem is seriously handicapped by its lack of
> words.
:-) You just don't understand modern poetry, Pat. ;-)
>
> This poem is seriously handicapped by its lack of
> words.
:-) You just don't understand modern poetry, Pat. ;-)
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Pat Hathaway (209.102.88.---)
Date: December 23, 2021 02:12PM
I'm trying. I realize that an in-depth critique of this poem would have to address the dearth of imagery and rhythm as well as some other significant flaws, but my main concern must remain the abscence of words. One could suggest adding a few words, but this kind of artistic decision is best left to the poet.
Happy holidays to you!
Happy holidays to you!
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Chesil (---.neo.rr.com)
Date: December 24, 2021 03:40PM
I think it has real promise Pat, it has real hidden depth and hidden meaning along with the hidden words.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Soma (---.tnt1.hba1.da.uu.net)
Date: December 24, 2021 05:28PM
Nothing but the blank verse of the present poem could have presented
a more unique vision of the spotless virginal purity of the empty page.
a more unique vision of the spotless virginal purity of the empty page.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Pat Hathaway (209.102.88.---)
Date: December 24, 2021 11:49PM
I think the poet should submit this work to Poetry.com, just to see.....
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: ph (---.client.attbi.com)
Date: January 02, 2022 11:02PM
Errrrrr....I just wanted to drag this old, old thread back to the top as I still giggle whenever I think about it. :)
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Les (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: January 02, 2022 11:08PM
This poem transcends description. As a matter of fact it transcends words themselves. It is
pure imagination.
Les
pure imagination.
Les
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Pam Adams (---)
Date: January 03, 2022 12:05PM
I think we should set this poem to music, perhaps something by Philip Glass?
pam
pam
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Stephen Fryer (---.bbd11tcl.dsl.pol.co.uk)
Date: January 03, 2022 12:19PM
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: rikki (---.wc.optusnet.com.au)
Date: January 03, 2022 06:30PM
Um, very powerful and moving.
"Everything that is strong in feeling and everything that excites a sudden reaction from a remote source immediately dislocates the complex mechanism of language: silence - blankness - the eloquence of the moment." (Valéry)
rikki :)
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jack (---.southg01.mi.comcast.net)
Date: January 03, 2022 06:53PM
Geeez! Am I going to be the ONLY one to disagree? I'm sorry, but this is completely transparent. It seemed like it was over before it even started. This piece says NOTHING to me. It is completely lacking in meaningful content. I would say it needs 'punching up' a bit, but I don't even know where to start!
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Hugh Clary (---.sdsl.cais.net)
Date: January 03, 2022 07:08PM
Nonsense! This masterpiece won the world's title for the shortest poem, beating out such close contenders as,
Who?
You!
Oh,
No!
And,
I,
Y?
Sez it all, far as I'm concerned.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Les (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: January 03, 2022 09:30PM
I agree with Hugh.
Jack, even when there's nothing to argue about, you find something!
Les
Jack, even when there's nothing to argue about, you find something!
Les
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: ph (---.client.attbi.com)
Date: January 03, 2022 10:23PM
I have read this poem aloud several times, something Chesil always advises, and find that the caesura seems exceptionally poignant and extensive. This poet has brought the art of understatement to new, heretofore unheard of, heights.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: glenda (---.dallas-09rh15rt-tx.dial-access.att.net)
Date: January 03, 2022 11:37PM
I agree with Jack. This poem lacks something; I just can't quite seem to put my finger on it. Does anyone know of other work by this author?
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Les (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: January 03, 2022 11:42PM
"Unheard of" is definitely the operative phrase here. Again the poet takes the notion of obscurity to such murky depths that not even a rescue party can find its true meaning.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jack (---.southg01.mi.comcast.net)
Date: January 04, 2022 08:17AM
Glenda-
I'm glad you asked. Please read this attatchment. You will notice the author is nothing, if not consistent.
I'm glad you asked. Please read this attatchment. You will notice the author is nothing, if not consistent.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: glenda (---.dallas-09rh15rt-tx.dial-access.att.net)
Date: January 04, 2022 08:44AM
Thanks for the attachment, Jack. I've put it my "favorites" folder for future perusal.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: -Les- (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: December 24, 2021 12:42AM
The ghost of Christmas past.
Les
Les
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: glenda (---.client.comcast.net)
Date: December 24, 2021 09:01AM
Aaaah, the good old days..........nice bump
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jean-Paul Bonhomme (---.nt.net)
Date: December 24, 2021 01:30PM
I find this poem reflects the mind of a troubled spirit.
The author lacks direction in his personal life and his obvious abundance of empathy with his natural environment overpowers the poem's concrete nature.
The rhyme sceme is too rigid: however, he compensates with a clear and concise word pattern.
On the other hand, I find his last line ambiguous and this is what belies his less than perfect existance; nonetheless, it is what he intended and it fits perfectly.
I wouldn;t change a thing.
The author lacks direction in his personal life and his obvious abundance of empathy with his natural environment overpowers the poem's concrete nature.
The rhyme sceme is too rigid: however, he compensates with a clear and concise word pattern.
On the other hand, I find his last line ambiguous and this is what belies his less than perfect existance; nonetheless, it is what he intended and it fits perfectly.
I wouldn;t change a thing.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Chesil (---.clvdoh.adelphia.)
Date: December 24, 2021 01:33PM
I always found the lack of punctuation to be unusually fitting for this poem.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: -Les- (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: December 24, 2021 01:55PM
There are those who would say the poem lacks substance, but this is the stuff dreams are made of...
Les
Les
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Marian-NYC (---.nyc1.dsl.speakeasy.net)
Date: December 24, 2021 02:54PM
Gives new meaning to the phrase "negative capability."
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: ph (---.client.attbi.com)
Date: December 25, 2021 04:02PM
This poet has carried on and improved the e. e. cummings style. Not only has he eliminated punctuation and capitalization, he's done away with all those other troublesome elements created by inserting words into the body of the poem.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: joseph torelli (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: December 27, 2021 08:54AM
Finally---all the intricate nuances of free-form poetry captured in one stunning artistic endeavor! Jason has never been better. Bravo!
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jack? (---.southg01.mi.comcast.net)
Date: December 27, 2021 04:35PM
J-P B
I don't find the last line at all ambiguous. This is one of the few examples where the repetition (even in the last line) really WORKS for me.
You have mentioned his obvoius lack of punctuation, But if you look closely you may pick up on the fact that the author composed this entire piece without the use of VOWELS!
Wait a minute.
I just double-checked.
No consonants either!
Amazing!
Jack
I don't find the last line at all ambiguous. This is one of the few examples where the repetition (even in the last line) really WORKS for me.
You have mentioned his obvoius lack of punctuation, But if you look closely you may pick up on the fact that the author composed this entire piece without the use of VOWELS!
Wait a minute.
I just double-checked.
No consonants either!
Amazing!
Jack
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jean-Paul Bonhomme (---.nt.net)
Date: December 27, 2021 05:58PM
LOL
Is your medication working yet?
Is your medication working yet?
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: JESSICA (---.dsl.hstntx.swbell.net)
Date: December 28, 2021 02:16AM
lol, I visited this board for the first time in forever.. and i noticed almost all the threads had "new" next to them except this one... :)
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: fly (66.138.1.---)
Date: December 28, 2021 07:47AM
much ado about nothing!
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jean-Paul Bonhomme (---.nt.net)
Date: December 28, 2021 08:47AM
Read between the lines.
The author is mentally ill.
The author is mentally ill.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Chesil (---.clvdoh.adelphia.)
Date: December 28, 2021 08:59AM
Actually, his mind is blank.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: StephenFryer (---.l1.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk)
Date: December 29, 2021 12:27PM
I've been giving this thread a lot of thought.
Stephen
Stephen
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Marian-NYC (---.nyc1.dsl.speakeasy.net)
Date: December 29, 2021 01:30PM
Becareful, Stephen. When it comes to poetry, OVER-interpretation is just as bad as too-hasty dismissal.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: StephenFryer (---.l1.c4.dsl.pol.co.uk)
Date: December 29, 2021 04:10PM
Oh, don't worry about me.
I dismissed the thread entirely from my mind BEFORE I started thinking about it.
Stephen
I dismissed the thread entirely from my mind BEFORE I started thinking about it.
Stephen
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Marian-NYC (---.nyc1.dsl.speakeasy.net)
Date: December 30, 2021 11:22AM
Oh, I see. The Zen school of criticism.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jack? (---.eapplied.com)
Date: December 30, 2021 11:31AM
Never have so many commented so much about so little.
But I like this thread anyway.
Jack
But I like this thread anyway.
Jack
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: joseph torelli (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: December 30, 2021 02:27PM
I wonder what Jason would say about all of this.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: -Les- (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: December 30, 2021 02:43PM
His lips are sealed!
Les
Les
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: StephenFryer (---.l3.c1.dsl.pol.co.uk)
Date: December 31, 2021 12:21PM
STOP PRESS
a hitherto undiscovered version of the original has been unearthed: interpertate?
[www.activeboard.com]
Stephen
a hitherto undiscovered version of the original has been unearthed: interpertate?
[www.activeboard.com]
Stephen
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Jack? (---.southg01.mi.comcast.net)
Date: December 31, 2021 01:56PM
Stephen-
It's just a bit verbose.
Couldn't you trim it down to 'O'?
Jack
It's just a bit verbose.
Couldn't you trim it down to 'O'?
Jack
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: -Les- (---.trlck.ca.charter.com)
Date: December 31, 2021 02:04PM
I agree with Jack, even though the "h" adds emphasis, it is highly overated as a completer. A simple "O" would suffice and would be in keeping with the spirit of this piece.
Les
Les
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: StephenFryer (---.l3.c1.dsl.pol.co.uk)
Date: December 31, 2021 05:18PM
Maybe if the author is reading this, he'll go, o, oh k.
Stephen
Stephen
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: joseph torelli (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: January 01, 2022 09:41AM
...definitely overstated.
joet
joet
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: ph (---.client.attbi.com)
Date: January 01, 2022 10:19AM
I'd have to agree with Jack? and others who have weighed in on this subject. I wonder if the original poem was the inspiration for Sounds of Silence?
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Marian-NYC (---.nyc1.dsl.speakeasy.net)
Date: January 05, 2022 05:44PM
Less said the better.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: joseph torelli (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date: January 06, 2022 07:38AM
Actually, I think the original poem is the ultimate interpretaion of "Sounds of Silence," rather than its inspiration.
joet
joet
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: Linda (---.cache.pol.co.uk)
Date: January 08, 2022 02:12PM
For any fans of John Cage's work, BBC Radio3 is broadcasting a concert from the Barbican Hall, Friday 16th January, starting at 19-25 GMT.
The final item is a performance of 4'33" arranged for large orchestra.
According to Radio Times engineers will have to disable the emergency back-up system that switches other music on if it detects a period of silence that lasts more than two minutes.
The final item is a performance of 4'33" arranged for large orchestra.
According to Radio Times engineers will have to disable the emergency back-up system that switches other music on if it detects a period of silence that lasts more than two minutes.
Re: any interpertations on this poem
Posted by: JohnnySansCulo (192.168.128.---)
Date: August 27, 2021 03:09PM
This is a pretty good discussion actually, bumpworthy
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