DISQUS

L.L. Barkat · 1 year ago

Hmmm...Do you really think poetry is useless..or that play is useless too? Or is it more that poetry and play, when truly engaged in, defy any particular use... even though they may surprise us in the end with accomplishing things of great value.

Marcus · 1 year ago

L.L., don't take my word for it. I'm just quoting Mr. Wilde.

Marcus · 1 year ago

My wife sent me a funny email, but I had to pass it on here. She said, "That poem was not very playful."

Yeah. Well, it was for me! : )

L.L. Barkat · 1 year ago

Amy, poets have a strange sense of play. But you probably already know that firsthand. : )

spaghettipie · 1 year ago

I like
your
useless poetry.
Even if
it is
not
playful.

I know nothing, really, about poetry except that I enjoy it. Thanks for sharing your poem today.

Keanan Brand · 1 year ago

Poetry may be useless on some level, but necessary. Sometimes we write drivel, but sometimes poetry condenses thought and emotion to its essence, and therefore makes it powerful.

I was asked recently by a fellow writer to pass along a few things I've learned. One of those things is that daydreaming is a good thing. So is yardwork and hiking and long drives to nowhere. Activities that engage the body only seemingly disengage the mind; sometimes, my mind is free to wander the world of my story even as my arms and legs are pushing the lawnmower around the backyard. That may not be fun to most people, but (shrug) I make no claim on sanity.

nancy · 1 year ago

also
prayer
a little death
that makes room
in the heart
a place
for life

real live preacher · 1 year ago

LL, Marcus,

I think I know what Marcus means.

Yes, poetry must be useless, in the sense that we Americans use that word. For me, poetry is pure writing. Just for the sound of it. Well, there is meaning but the sound is so paramount. In that sense, the poem is above use.

But of course, pure art has its uses, so you can't ever say something is without use.

Marcus, do you know what the French phrase "little death" means? Did you intend that?

Don't know if you did, but it works.

Marcus · 1 year ago

I knew. It was intended.

Ann @Holy Experience · 1 year ago

This poem of yours keeps rolling around in me, Marcus, for days now, a stone polishing something inside.

It's play had great use.

Just thought I'd come back and tell you.