deepundergroundpoetry.com
obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
This is going to be a mild rant, so if you were looking for another brilliant poem... go-way, go-way...
Lately I have been reading a lot of poems that I have not left a comment on because I can't figure out for the life of me what the fu@# they are about. I'm starting to think I don't speak the same language or the metaphorical meanings in these poems is just going right over my head. Sometimes the imagery is very interesting, but it's like a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces are cut into squares and somebody mixed in pieces from another puzzle so I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking at. Are metaphors nothing more than vagaries designed to disguise emotions of poets afraid to admit the truths within their hearts? Maybe I'm on to something here...
Maybe I'm just getting old. Maybe I should start drinking. I think I'll just go back to sleep!!!
Nite-nite
JJ
Lately I have been reading a lot of poems that I have not left a comment on because I can't figure out for the life of me what the fu@# they are about. I'm starting to think I don't speak the same language or the metaphorical meanings in these poems is just going right over my head. Sometimes the imagery is very interesting, but it's like a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces are cut into squares and somebody mixed in pieces from another puzzle so I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking at. Are metaphors nothing more than vagaries designed to disguise emotions of poets afraid to admit the truths within their hearts? Maybe I'm on to something here...
Maybe I'm just getting old. Maybe I should start drinking. I think I'll just go back to sleep!!!
Nite-nite
JJ
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Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
Anonymous
16th Jun 2015 3:34pm
you could just ask what it means
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re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
16th Jun 2015 4:01pm
I know, I have done that a couple of times before and it felt weird, like I might be insulting the writers. And I feel like I should be able to understand it, like maybe there's something wrong with me.
JJ
JJ
re: re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
Anonymous
16th Jun 2015 4:09pm
hehehe i get that with the aspergers tbh...
... some people just like to write like they're afraid of being understood :)
... some people just like to write like they're afraid of being understood :)
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Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
21st Jul 2015 3:33am
Lol whew de je vous for me from last night and you set an identical scene. No intrepreter, too much noise from lost words of others..but hey the next one adds my work in that same field?!
1
Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
21st Jul 2015 3:33am
Lol whew de je vous for me from last night and you set an identical scene. No intrepreter, too much noise from lost words of others..but hey the next one adds my work in that same field?!
1
Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
21st Jul 2015 3:39am
Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
21st Jul 2015 3:40am
Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
Anonymous
16th Jun 2015 9:40pm
Ah, don't feel bad, JJ, as I go through the same thing - trying to decipher poems, at times over analyzing their meaning, etc., etc. While some poems can be quite intimidating, others are very entertaining, and those are the ones I tend to gravitate to. Remember, JJ, Poetry is just an abstract piece of Art but in words, to each its own!. . .xoxo, Devlin;)
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re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
16th Jun 2015 9:56pm
I understand what you are saying Devlin, it is still very frustrating to me. I don't use a lot of metaphor in my poetry. I found that I would be misunderstood very often when I did. It's a double edged sword because if you make things absolutely clear, people say it's not good poetry. But I get misunderstood even when I write and speak in obvious plain terms. So I feel like I can never win with my own poetry. In school we needed help from the English teacher to unders8tand what a lot of "great" poetry was really saying, but I don't want to be like that. I want people to understand, not scratch their heads and wonder what the Hell I'm talking about. I'd rather not ever be a great poet if the average person has to call an English teacher to decipher my metaphors. They're never going to be reading my poetry in English class anyway, so I gotta get it right here, and that's what I want to read here, understandable verse... jj
re: re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
Anonymous
17th Jun 2015 00:29am
JJ, I grasp everything you have written here - Poetry is a double-standard hence, your "double edged sword". I really wish I could give you some great poetic advice but I feel like my hands are tied. . .It's to bad we can't consult with Longfellow, Frost, Dante - great poets of the past 'cause in my honest opinion I believe they'd shit a brick toward today's poetry where the majority of it is non-traditional and unrhythmic but then again that's what "underground poetry" is. I know a lot of Poets/Poetresses try to incorporate traditional with non-traditional and maybe that's where you tend to get lost 'cause the poem is going one way then it's going another and before you know it you're freaking lost, and that's not your fault; perhaps that's the way the Poet/Poetress intended for the poem to go, only they know.
I've read quite a bit of your poems, JJ (along with many others here), and sometimes your poems are a bit intimidating, and I like that 'cause it keeps me on edge, on my toes and inspires me to become a better Poet, or in my case, a better Poetress. Please don't beat yourself over this miniscule tisk 'cause like seriously, who's going to care in 10-20 years? Poem for the moment, and make it your best and to hell with what everyone else might think!. . .xoxo, Devlin;)
I've read quite a bit of your poems, JJ (along with many others here), and sometimes your poems are a bit intimidating, and I like that 'cause it keeps me on edge, on my toes and inspires me to become a better Poet, or in my case, a better Poetress. Please don't beat yourself over this miniscule tisk 'cause like seriously, who's going to care in 10-20 years? Poem for the moment, and make it your best and to hell with what everyone else might think!. . .xoxo, Devlin;)
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re: re: re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
18th Jun 2015 10:46am
My poetry is intimidating? Inspiring? Keeps you on your toes? Can I kiss you?
JJ
JJ
Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
18th Jun 2015 5:12pm
Ahhh, Poetryman, luv ~ :-
The wonderful thing about poetry (and the challenging and horrific thing, mayhap, as well, betimes) is that it can suit the mood of the moment and say whate'er one desires or not.
As complex as language can be so can poetry also and as simple in its turn too. This is miraculous and daunting, soothing and exhilarating, melodious and disharmonic, challenging and mind-boggling, a stone edifice lasting ages and a wisp designed to fade into obscurity with the turn of a page. For not all pleasures are lasting, some are fleeting and can be grasped only for the nonce... Ah, I digress.
Forgive me, luv. :-*
No one of us understands all things; 'twould be remarkable indeed if we did. Tis what makes the world an ever-changing, growing, fascinating place, ne c'est pas? Ask, luv, and do not feel daunted in the asking for there is honor in both the asking and the answering and learning to be had on both sides of the thing.
Your query makes me ponder weighty questions regarding the nature of knowledge and understanding, luv. You have displayed enormous courage here in posting this, I believe, for being able to admit ignorance of a thing is oft-times a challenge and makes us feel vulnerable.
There are poets here who have caused me consternation for I have not comprehended their works. I have kept reading and betimes, begun to understand. Sometimes it takes repeated exposure to a way of thinking unlike one's own or that one has not experienced before to begin the path to comprehension. Betimes, it takes querying.
I do not believe anyone is exempt from questioning nor consternation at times, luv. :-*
The wonderful thing about poetry (and the challenging and horrific thing, mayhap, as well, betimes) is that it can suit the mood of the moment and say whate'er one desires or not.
As complex as language can be so can poetry also and as simple in its turn too. This is miraculous and daunting, soothing and exhilarating, melodious and disharmonic, challenging and mind-boggling, a stone edifice lasting ages and a wisp designed to fade into obscurity with the turn of a page. For not all pleasures are lasting, some are fleeting and can be grasped only for the nonce... Ah, I digress.
Forgive me, luv. :-*
No one of us understands all things; 'twould be remarkable indeed if we did. Tis what makes the world an ever-changing, growing, fascinating place, ne c'est pas? Ask, luv, and do not feel daunted in the asking for there is honor in both the asking and the answering and learning to be had on both sides of the thing.
Your query makes me ponder weighty questions regarding the nature of knowledge and understanding, luv. You have displayed enormous courage here in posting this, I believe, for being able to admit ignorance of a thing is oft-times a challenge and makes us feel vulnerable.
There are poets here who have caused me consternation for I have not comprehended their works. I have kept reading and betimes, begun to understand. Sometimes it takes repeated exposure to a way of thinking unlike one's own or that one has not experienced before to begin the path to comprehension. Betimes, it takes querying.
I do not believe anyone is exempt from questioning nor consternation at times, luv. :-*
1
re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
19th Jun 2015 2:30am
Very true, though I still feel like I am not speaking the same language as the writer. Like when you take something written in a different language and use Google translate to change it to English, but it's like reading gobbledygook.
Re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
19th Jun 2015 7:38am
Ah, luv, this is where I believe we must oft-times be patient --- with ourselves and with others. We must take time to let meanings sift through our layers. Sometimes, out worldview or unique perspective may hinder us in immediately understanding or comprehending another.
Truly, I find that betimes waiting awhile can be immensely helpful. Letting meaning settle, even if understood, can make a thing more meaningful.
And, if not understood, the wait can allow our minds time to synthesize information, view things in different ways, coalesce then upon another reading or another or another (if sufficiently fascinated, even if bemused :-p), glints of light, hints of comprehension (or full-blown understanding doth) appear. Tis a most enlightening experience, luv. :-*
This also affords us delightful opportunities to engage with one another in discussion of poetry should we so choose... ;-*
Truly, I find that betimes waiting awhile can be immensely helpful. Letting meaning settle, even if understood, can make a thing more meaningful.
And, if not understood, the wait can allow our minds time to synthesize information, view things in different ways, coalesce then upon another reading or another or another (if sufficiently fascinated, even if bemused :-p), glints of light, hints of comprehension (or full-blown understanding doth) appear. Tis a most enlightening experience, luv. :-*
This also affords us delightful opportunities to engage with one another in discussion of poetry should we so choose... ;-*
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Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
19th Jun 2015 3:07am
It is quite odd & funny because I just got finish with your piece about metaphors.. In which it occurs to me that I am one of the beings that you speak of.. However,lol I hate to say, but since I am a lover of honesty as well , strangely how all our roles are interchangeable thru frequencies because much often when reading you.. I get that same symptom..you know the "Scratchy head Syndrome" may the force of peace & love be with you hun. To share most of it is not metaphorical at all, its just my approach unto & how complicated my life truly is. Now if you want metaphors I have plenty for you mind :)
-- On the other hands, it s okay to ask question..am thinking this is why societies for poets exist , rather small or large but open for discussion & free thinking without having to be wrong or right. .
-- On the other hands, it s okay to ask question..am thinking this is why societies for poets exist , rather small or large but open for discussion & free thinking without having to be wrong or right. .
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re: Re: obscure metaphor and blinding imagery
19th Jun 2015 4:45am
Yes, you are among the "beings" I have become lost while reading your poems. There are several others. It's never been about anybody being right or wrong, it's about my ability to understand what people are writing.