Josh's resignation

[tom.d.stiller]

Josh's resignation

i tried to tear down the wall:
i couldn't poke a tiny hole.
i'll take the trumpet from my shoulder now
and play the blues real loud and slow.

[LaurieAK]

tom~

You created a distinct ambiance in a small space. The rhythm of the shorter and longer lines reads well. I can hear the jazzy blues wailing in the darkest of night Reminiscent of Langston Hughes.

Thanks for sharing!

L

[tom.d.stiller]

Thank you for commenting, Laurie. I can, of course, read the Hughes reference only as flattering.

I'm sure you detected the irony of the title that makes this piece rather hopeful.

Cheers
tom

[LaurieAK]

Hi tom~

Yes, of course! Flattering!

I'm sure you detected the irony of the title that makes this piece rather hopeful.

Umm. Nope. For me, the term Resignation is a defeat, lacking the element of hope. Like someone who has tried for their final time to succeed and upon failing is, resigned. sigh.

Goodnews is!! i love poems with no redemption ;o)))

regards,
L

[tom.d.stiller]

For me, the term Resignation is a defeat, lacking the element of hope. Like someone who has tried for their final time to succeed and upon failing is, resigned. sigh.

Hi Laurie -

I agree so far. Probably I should've made the reference a bit more visible. The resignation isn't really a resignation in the light of the following:

...and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat...
Josh. 6,20

Now I have to find a way to make this show through without being too obvious. (Btw, in the very first draft the piece was titled Jericho again...)

Cheers
tom

[linda_lakeside]

In my demented mind, the fact that I'm even following this thread, has to mean something.

[linda_lakeside]

I saw this poem sitting here for what seemed a long time. But for whatever reason, I couldn't even comment with my usual ... well, you know...the remark you made Laurie, about so much in a compact space worked well for me as a reader, but I think there is more that I don't know about And of course, if that is true, it works in the way a lot of other poems do, they adjust themselves to your own circumstances. When you need them to. Also, much can be said with very few words.

Linda.

[LaurieAK]

Hi tom~

Oy. I was going to ask if this had biblical Joshua implications, but changed my mind.
It would have been revealing my lack of real knowledge of the bible or another really stupid question (i think I've used up my quota).

Alas, there is no escaping the obvious. I think probably most folks Would get the biblical connection. Nevermind me.

Linda~

if that is true, it works in the way a lot of other poems do, they adjust themselves to your own circumstances. When you need them to. Also, much can be said with very few words.

Poems (like everything) are open to interpretation. The reader always brings their life knowledge with them, which is always different than the writer's life experiences. If a poem means something to you, but it is not the intented 'something' of the writer then that is okay. When there is no connection, intended or not, then that is a failed poem. Does this makes sense?
Of course the more you learn about the craft of poetry the more things you can pick out of it, if so inclined. You can see how the writer might have chose one word over another because of how it sounds or the number of syllables it contains. You can find metaphors that might not be obvious on a first read, etc. Unless someone is Really interested in this kinda thing, it is probably boring as hell. Enjoying a poem at face value without digging into is skin and bones works too. And many poems are just what they are with no 'clever' poetic devices...

later gaters,
L

[lizzytysh]

I didn't get its Biblical implications, either, Laurie.

[linda_lakeside]

The 'biblical' implication was my first thought. But, couldn't get much past that I'm afraid.

[linda_lakeside]

Laurie's sig. is starting to make a lot more sense.

[LaurieAK]

Linda~ HAhahahHaha

Laurie's sig. is starting to make a lot more sense.

Heck Linda, I would expect this comment to have come during the "fuckin'" / "fucking" debate

diligently,
L

[Critic2]

Josh's resignation

i tried to tear down the wall:
i couldn't poke a tiny hole.
i'll take the trumpet from my shoulder now
and play the blues real loud and slow.

this sexually explicit verse marks the maturity of the popular local poet, Sir Thomas D Stiller.

His image of Joshua blowing his own "trumpet", whilst crude, is nonetheless effecive. The result that poor Joshua blows a hole in his own internal wall is medically unlikely but metaphorically captures the absolute futility of self-abuse. Even carried out slowly, this is an exercise that I strongly discourage.

Sadly, the poet blunders with his anotomical fantasy (or
biggus fairytalealis) of depicting his hero with his trumpet all the way up to his shoulder.

If I can't manage that, trust me, no-one can. Certainly not some kid with a prissy name like Joshua, No Sir.

[linda_lakeside]

Laauurriee!! C'm 'ere!

[LaurieAK]

Laauurriee!! C'm 'ere!

Make me!!


You didn't say Please....


============== (me running away)


L