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Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State

0 posted 2001-03-21 03:21 PM


A poet today is in limbo it seems,
Along with his foolish, romantic dreams.
His masterpiece will never be heard.
Everyone is too busy to read a word.
Shakespeare, today, would be met with a sneer.
His plays on no stage would ever appear.

It seems we've been born into the wrong age,
To be praised and lauded for a page
Of lovely words and rhythm and rhyme.
The world is running out of time.
So if anyone has a story to tell;
Make it quick, make it short and expendable.

This is the day of quick wit ascension;
A play on words to catch the attention.
A phrase to sell some useless ware;
And no one really seems to care.
These are the writers who make the money;
The ones who are glib and cute and funny.

A true poet creates to please himself;
Though his book may never get off the shelf.
To write for the masses, he must change his way.
He need not have anything to say.
He comes up with a gimmick and sells it fast.
The words of today are not written to last.

Joyce Johnson 4/21/2000

[This message has been edited by Joyce Johnson (edited 03-22-2001).]

© Copyright 2001 Joyce I Johnson - All Rights Reserved
Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
1 posted 2001-03-21 03:22 PM


I'm sorry. This is in the wrong forum. I didn't mean to submit it here. I'm afraid it is not appropriate. Sorry. Joyce
PoemCrazy
Member
since 2000-11-30
Posts 159

2 posted 2001-03-21 06:25 PM


Hi Joyce.

you know, i might have to disagree with you
about this being the "wrong" forum.

but i'm weird, so what the hell do i know anyway?...tom

Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
3 posted 2001-03-21 06:37 PM


It's a good poem Joyce, no matter where it's posted.

Betty Lou Hebert

WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
4 posted 2001-03-22 12:35 PM


Joyce, no apology necessary, just let me know where you'd like it, and I'll have it there for ya in a blink.
Joyce Johnson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
5 posted 2001-03-22 01:10 AM


Thanks WhtDove I'll just hold it for awhle. I posted somethin else on 12. Joyce
2dalimit
Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228
Mississippi coast
6 posted 2001-03-22 07:12 AM


True words. A poem is like a painting- the meaning is in the eye of the reader. Write on!
Melton

JOY 14
Senior Member
since 1999-09-22
Posts 1419
Wisconsin USA
7 posted 2001-03-22 05:24 PM


Glad you posted it here so I could read it.
Your words ring true. It seems like nobody wants to stop and read and let the words sink in.

Joy

Our doubts are traitors,
And make us loose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.
~Shakespeare

kcsgrandma
Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522
Presque Isle, ME
8 posted 2001-03-23 12:31 PM


Hi, Joyce. I just read your (very nice) sonnet in CA, and it seems you are not comfortable in Open. I think the Pub is a great alternative, though it does move rather slowly sometimes. Anyway, although I'm not sure I agree with your premise, I did enjoy this well-written poem. Certainly poetry is not for everyone, but there are quite a few places where it is written and read with great enthusiasm. On the other hand, you may be right that Shakespeare would not be so well known today, for the simple reason that there are so many people writing now that it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. If you think good poetry is not appreciated today, I would be happy to point you to several places (in addition to these forums) that might change your mind.

To love another person is to see the face of God.
- Les Miserables

Marilyn

Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
9 posted 2001-03-23 01:57 AM


Dear kcsgrandma, We probably have a lot in common if you are a grandma like I am. When I wrote that poem I was trying to get a reaction. But it does seem to me that there are not vry many who could make a living by writing poetry as do artists of other types. I know other poets enjoy each other's poetry but I was speaking of the ordinary, busy people of this day. I am probably wrong. Thanks for writing Joyce
pegasus111
Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa
10 posted 2001-03-23 08:00 PM


I looked over the best 100 poems of all time yesterday(don't ask me how they arrived at these particular 100 poems), and to my surprise, none of mine were among them...lol..I think you are right. the average person on the street isn't interested in reading poetry from unknown poets.that's why we have each other..

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost



Red_Feather
Member
since 2001-01-19
Posts 131
The Vagabond Sea
11 posted 2001-03-24 01:12 AM


First of all, truth is rarely "appropriate" and for the most part i agree with your poem. The world is no longer built for, nor shaped by the souls of poets. On the other hand our point and click world allows us all to visit this place.

One's not half two it's two are halves of one EE Cummings

Suzanne Arlene
Member
since 2000-10-09
Posts 377
Ontario, Canada
12 posted 2001-03-24 09:59 AM


I loved your poem. It was well written and flowed really great. I love to read poetry and i bet there are more people reading them now more than ever because of the internet. You can post your poetry and in an instant people can read it.I think that is a wonderful thing and because of it more people have access to read it and write it. I am glad you posted it here . Suzanne
ellie LeJeune
Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA
13 posted 2001-03-24 10:12 AM


Wonderful, I think there are enough tender hearts still out there that have poetic spirits, i pray...

A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails.

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