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Open Poetry #42
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Out of touch poetry
| Open Poetry #42 |
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Out of touch poetry |
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DarkenedOrange Junior Member
since 2008-04-21
Posts 13 |
I am almost ashamed to speak of this, but still I must say that there is hardly a person present who would not have talked better about their poetry than they did themselves. That showed me in an instant that not by wisdom do poets write poetry, but by a sort of genius and inspiration; they are like diviners or soothsayers who also say many fine things, but do not understand the meaning of them. I further observed that upon the strength of their poetry they believed themselves to be the wisest of men in other things in which they were not wise. So I departed, conceiving myself to be superior to them. (Words of Socrates found in the "Apology" of Plato) Sing poet! Sing your song that no one understands. Tell us the tale of some Greek hero (It’s all Greek to me) Producing your potboilers (Yeah, look it up) You paint your fantasy world with words no one understands If the common man cannot understand it Then what is the point? Shelly, Shakespeare and Donne Byron, Thoreau and Prufrock They all stand a loaded gun The power to kill Without the power to die But they do die A death that is not proud For modernity ruins their sport It used to be that the man in a suit told me what a good poem was Now, he wears jeans Either way it takes me a hour to read one paragraph With dictionary and mythology books at my side They establish the rules Infecting me with their folly To judge eternally based upon the word of another Who lives in the dark ages now? |
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| © Copyright 2008 Max Bardus - All Rights Reserved | |||
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David2 Member
since 2000-03-22
Posts 407 |
This is very thought provoking. I must agree that if no communication has occurred then really, what was the point? Having said this I must admit to loving the Sonnet form, which I write in almost exclusively. It gives my creativity what little life it may have.However, there are many Shakespearean works that are very difficult to understandwithout extensive preparation. Your work was clear, precise and enjoyable. Thank you, David |
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shyvl Senior Member
since 2008-04-11
Posts 531texas, usa |
Excellent points you make. I believe every time, everyone has their own poetry that speak s to their heart. Some of the classics do that for me maybe they don't for you. Just keep reading sharyn |
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Joe Crow Member
since 2007-12-18
Posts 66Indiana |
Socrates/Plato was making his point in the context of his search to prove the Oracle wrong in stating that he was the wisest man of all. That's why he questioned the poets among others to prove the Oracle wrong as he knew that he didn't 'know' concerning the things that concerned dear Socrates. The point he was making in the quoted text/and in other places unquoted is that poets indeed do not know and in fact can't even tell you what deeper knowledge their words contain if in fact they do contain any. That doesn't make them wrong or weaken their message and if you supposed they were to answer questions for you maybe you should have consulted the Oracle first. Just a thought... Peace, Joe Crow |
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DarkenedOrange Junior Member
since 2008-04-21
Posts 13 |
The poem is meant to be Socratic in nature ... Some poetry is out of touch with the common man and his common experience of the world. Socrates knows he is the wisest because he is aware of his own ignorance. Socrates finds out that their greatness is really just a facade. Similarly, we consider poems "great" because people tell us what "great" poetry should look like. The common man cannot read some of the "great" poetry because they dont speak their language. http://darkenedorange.blogspot.com/ |
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