I miss the poetry

[lizzytysh]

I feel disappointed and sad. I've been sick [still am] and have lost a dear friend, who died at the age of 41. I came looking for some deeper, human sharing. Something meaningful. After being gone from here for nearly a week, I returned to find one poem. I love reading the poetry of members, the remarks of others on it, and the poets' follow-up comments. There is so much sharing in that process, and many, very interesting and enjoyable poems. Sandra and others. So many have brought so much to this section. I sincerely hope for members to begin posting their poetry again.

Love,
Elizabeth

[tom.d.stiller]

Lots of things to say, dear Elizabeth...

First of all: get better. I don't want to have your sane and healthy spirit shackled by any sickness.

Then: To lose a dear friend always is disheartening, especially at that young an age. And the desire to aim at "deeper, human sharing" is fully comprehensible. We share that, at least that...

Finally: you're right about members' poetry. Of late the "Poetry Section", once the home of "us lousy little poets" has become the joking ground of "trolls" and "troll hunters". For a while this was funny, but when it started to be the "only pastime", the results were fatal.

Speaking for myself: I brought along my first poem ever (1975!), and a translation of Sandra's beautiful "1992" of late. Currently I'm working on two poems, and I'll post them in due time - when they're completed.

But where are all the others? Where are you Byron, where are you Georges? Where's witty owl? Andrew, don't you write anymore? And you xxx (placeholder for so many names...), where are your poems?

It's disappointing, and it's sad.

Thank you for taking the words right out of my mouth once again, Elizabeth.

Tom

[linda_lakeside]

I have an entire computer full (well not quite) of poems and poems in progress. I'd be too shy to put anything up, though. Sandra's poem is very beautiful. I'm sorry for your troubles, Lizzy.

Just by reading back a bit I can see the changes over the past while, I hope you get your poetry place back, tom.

[Critic2]

Hi Liz, how very sad that your young friend has died. I am sorry for your loss. I came home from a Christmas break to a red light on the telephone that I immediately knew was a message from America saying my cousin had died.

My New Year resolution is that no more family or friends die (for at least 2005) and that poetry returns here. You can at least be heartened Liz by noticing that the trolls are now being completely ignored (and troll hunters therefore are not needed for now).

I hope you soon recover both your health and your optimism.

And Linda, you can post with confidence!

[linmag]

So sorry to hear about your friend, Elizabeth, and your own health problems. All the very best wishes to you from all of us here. We hope that you will recover in time to start the new year in full health and in an optimistic spirit.

[Andrew McGeever]

Dear Lizzy,
I've been "off board" for several weeks, and only logged in today (Boxing Day). Your post spoke of disappointment and the sadness of the death of a close friend. To write that on Christmas Day takes guts, and honesty.
You asked for poems: I'll post some "soon".
Yer pal, as aye,
Andrew.

P.S. "Soon" was my first attempt at erotic verse, one of my earliest poems, (and my last travel down that road). It has gathered dust for 15 years or so, but re-reading it surprises me.

[linda_lakeside]

It is so strange, isn't Andrew? A poem that's been sitting in stir for the last year or so is brand new when you get up the nerve to read it again or else your computer tells you to get rid of it for 'memory's' sake.

It's like it came from someone else! I try and wonder in what frame of mind I was at the time if the writing , but I can't. And that is the rub! After seeing it, writing it, have I become biased? My little poem? Does anyone give a damn. Who cares! It's just a poem and whatever is in there speaks volumes. Read, research write, then edit. Or is it....?

[Tchocolatl]

Linda, you told Wayne not to be shy in order to make it here, dear, so now he will wonder.... you know what they say : do what I say not what I do. Go ahead. Don't be shy. I give a damn. Go ahead.

Elizabeth, I hope you do fine, in any case.

Tom. Few can have a real laughter without being given the tag of being a troll. Sad. Really sad. It is such an important emotion.

For the "parasites of heaven" who are laughing for fight or to show their "wit", maybe they are like the worms in the earth. (The spicy box of earth?) not pleasants but necessary in order not to be strangled by our own seriouness and sens of importance? I do not no for sure. There is always a joker that mock the king in a court. Only it is like for rats. Infestation is dreadful. wink:

[lizzytysh]

Dear tom.d.stiller, linda, Critic2, linmag, Andrew, and Tchocolatl ~

Thank you for all of your empathetic responses with everything. I don't feel so much better physically [more like the heroine in La Boheme, and now have to work tomorrow because my supervisor's gone all week, and I need to do some things for her], but I feel more hopeful reading all that you've said.

I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin in America, Critic2. It sounds as though you must have been at least somewhat close in age. I'm very sorry. ". . . but it's always new ," isn't it? I haven't had a chance to peruse the troll landscape, but your words are very encouraging on that front.

Thanks, Linmag. I'm working on the "better" part and will be making another trip to the doctor tomorrow. Perhaps, more or different antibiotics. Or not.

Tchocolatl ~ Good point, regarding Linda/Wayne . And, it's the infestation that is dreadful, you're right.

I look forward to reading some of your poetry, linda. A whole computer full is a lot. With the way you write, I'm sure your poems will be most enjoyable. I give a damn, too.

Andrew ~ Imagining you writing erotic poetry....something I'd never done, or even considered. This will be interesting. Your disclaimer, of course , is how long ago you tried it. I look forward to reading it soon.

Thanks for your well/get-well wishes, tom, as well as your concurrence. I suspect the others may be reading, just like I have; just not writing. I think of Greta's haikus and how wonderful it would be to read some in the middle of winter. Such a gentle voice she has. I wonder about Witty Owl, also. If he's around, I hope he'll offer something soon. I would love to see Medusafern come in again. I'll be glad to see new poems from you here.

Well, that's about it. I want to read some more before I go back to bed. Morning will feel way ahead of schedule this time.

~ Elizabeth

[linda_lakeside]

Lizzy, Lizzy, Please. Take to your bed! Your health before all! I HATE to say it but I bet your work could get along without you for a day or three!

I'm watching the news and am worrying about people who might be travelling in Thailand/Indonesia...not to mention those that live there or travel there frequently.

I think Lizzy made a very good point. I think if this place is for "Poetry and Music by the Fourm Members" then so shall it be...

I came in somewhat late but there was a poetry competition going on. How about another? Yes, yes, there I go...shooting my mouth off again. Yet, I think many of us have put pen to paper and would like (even secretly) to hear some feedback. Well, why not? That's what this space is for isn't it? I bet our young Tom Sakic has written a word or two. Does it sound like I'm throwing down the gauntlet? No! I'm not! But Yes! There should be Poetry and Music by the Forum Members. Here. Right HERE!

[tom.d.stiller]

Yes, Linda:

here, right here,
between the birthmark and the stain,
between the ocean and your open vein,
between the snowman and the rain,
(...)
between the peanuts and the cage,
between the darkness and the stage,
between the hour and the age,
(...)
between the moonlight and the lane,
between the tunnel and the train,
between the victim and his stain,
(...)
between the dancer and his cane,
between the sailboat and the drain,
between the newsreel and your tiny pain,
(...)
between the windmill and the grain,
between the sundial and the chain,
between the traitor and her pain...

[lizzytysh]

Hi Linda ~

Thanks for your stay-at-home encouragement; however, my job has already done without me for 3.5 days. This week, I need to be here for the 2.5 days that my supervisor will be gone. There are things I need to do, in her absence, that she has so far shown only me. However, I'll be seeing the doctor again this morning.

I've not been listening to anything [radio or music] ~ just wanted silence as much as possible ~ so I wasn't aware, until last night, through Paula, of the horrific happenings in Indonesia and elsewhere. I hope we hear from A'af soon. I'm in shock at the suddenness and magnitude of it. On a bright Sunday morning how could such a nightmare occur?

Now that you've so heartily endorsed our return to Members' poetry here, I hope you've begun your search through your material to bring us something.

Tom ~ Isn't it funny how just a couple words will resonate and return with Leonard's name on them?

~ Lizzy

[davideo]

can I find
a poem in
this sally ann

a window
has been provided
for your enjoyment
or suicide

is there a poem
on this trip
to Montreal

is there any lonelier soul
than I
who comes to
this place
to see the face
of Leonard Cohen

so many tires have been burned
so many hearts mended
since I went to find
a man in Montreal

I have a heart now
but it is everyone's
and this collective heart
no longer travels
to find him

few poems may arise
in the sally ann
it cost too much
to become romantic
in

(for you, Lizzy)
dave-and happy new year!

[lizzytysh]

Thank you so much for your honest poem, David. I like it very much. Happy New Year to you, too, David.

~ Elizabeth

[tom.d.stiller]

Tom ~ Isn't it funny how just a couple words will resonate and return with Leonard's name on them?

Indeed it is.

But what a great description the quote is for this place. Or for any place worth staying. Any place alive, in a way...

Carrying over a thought from another thread: "love" (that is: G~d; that is: our responsibilty for this world) calls us by our names.