obscure metaphor and blinding imagery

you could just ask what it means

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

hehehe i get that with the aspergers tbh...
... some people just like to write like they're afraid of being understood :)

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?!

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?!

Lol, deJaVu...

DeJaVu  all over again...

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;)

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

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;)  

My poetry is intimidating? Inspiring? Keeps you on your toes? Can I kiss you?

JJ

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. :-*

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.

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... ;-*

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. .

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.