This is such a Great and STunning Poem GEne!
From time to time (when creativity finds a place in our wondering minds) we should go mad and swing from a vine (Me, a monkey as always)
Love this Poem!
YOu intrigue me with your thoughts!
Old Poets facinate me still!
With the penning of their quills...

YOU always be YOU that is who we love!
Warmest of Blessings and Light, Warrior Purple Lady SHEExooo
HAPPY NEW YEAR to YOU and YOur Blessed FAmily!

Many believe that poets and artists are insane beings, and all insane people possess unbelievable talents. That is why they're so interesting!!!

You are a true poet!!!

Happy New Year to you and your family!!!

Love and hugs,

Sandie Angel :o)

(Smiling) I see you swininging alright at your temptaions, but I also see you catching a gull ;)
on a serious sorta note....I do believe it is all true...
we all have quirks & quips of the weird strange & bizzare...yet will look at the questioneer and say "What is a matter with you?" lol

But It Is What It is, and I wouldn't change a thing....
Love & Hugs To You
& A Little Push for you till it's my turn to swing & howl ;)
Embraced~Embrassé
Vickie

Hello Gene: While I like this poem very much for its entertainment value -- or should I say instructional value -- it teaches so many facts about the great insane among us, I think it reads a little like an informational piece -- you know -- a listing of stranger-than-fiction type facts. Not that it's not funny and funky. Now, as to the ending, I would not say "witless," because we are not talking wit or witlessness (did I say "we?") I would leave off that line, and just say I myself, or just I, and begin, if you wish, with "in the grip of a creative (bgetter word for urge), and then being tempted to swing and howl -- I was actually expecting something far more outrageous. It would be more outrageous if you actually did it, instead of being merely tempted. In fact, I'll bet that there are things that you DO DO that are nutty, not just being tempted, but actually do. Perhaps they are too personal, too embarrassing. Bugt I think that, definitely, the last stanza should end with your tempting or actual behavior, not the when....urge. And again, I just have the feeling that you are crazier than you state here. Why, (uh oh), if I swung from a tree and howled at the street light, people would probably say of me, "at last, something normal from that nut." I am not putting down this poem. These are just my thoughts. It's really fun to read. In fact, I'd like to know where you get your facts from, so I can read more (and corroborate my own sanity). No, wait, -- I have no sanity. Here's a question: why are artists mad like this? I think it's because the "grip" of art is indeed a temporary insanity (that doesn't answer it very well), a stepping into an alternate universe, a PERPENDICULAR universe (can I use that line or has it been done) ---- much as sleep is "the little death." I like it Gene. And don't take my remarks too seriously. I'm just another perpendicular monkey howling at the stars. julianza

Never say witless(unless you need to)Wonder-filled write: I shall add a quote " IF YOU BRING FORTH WHAT IS INSIDE YOU ~ WHAT YOU BRING FORTH WILL SAVE YOU ~ IF YOU DON'T BRING FORTH WHAT IS INSIDE YOU ~ WHAT YOU DON'T BRING FORTH WILL DESTROY YOU " {JESUS OF NAZARETH}

the saving madness of artistic license is as varied as the stars in the sky ... quite a bright poem ...

That last stanza... I had to laugh at that... It reminded me of a blog I recently read where they asked the readers to comment on some of their crazy habits about reading. It was quite enlightening...

Cryssa

Gene - Thanks for the tour of creative eccentricities. I especially liked Voltaire's observation. Perceptive selection. I especially liked:

In my own witless way,
I have been tempted to swing
from my neighbor’s ornamental cherry tree
and howl at the street light
when in the grip of a creative urge.

For some reason it has the feel of the ancient Chinese poets (read in translation of course.
Great imagery and sound as always. - David

the last part really made me laugh Gene, a very educational piece of verse emcompassing the thought of creativity, you forgot Vincent Vangoh who sliced off one of his ears, couldn't sell a painting while he was alive but now his works are worth millions, oh by the way thanks for hearing

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Does that mean I'm that awful thing, then, called... N-O-R-M-A-L???????????? God forbid. Think I must be on reprieve as all this makes a helluva lot of sense to me, Gene-Genie (did I tell you that David Bowie borrowed my lipstick to finish off his Ziggy Stardust face?! jus kiddin, but don't get me started on Marc Bolan's eyeliner...) I LOVE THIS!!! XXXXXX

I'd get a real kick out of seeing that. Very cleaver write. You are obviously a little more well read than I am but I at least know of whom you are referring to. I enjoyed it very much. You are always a pleasure to read.
Blessings, J'nia

Your imagination is endless Gene...that last stanza is priceless, pleaselet me know when the thought overcomes you to try it...

So that explains why people like my wife and daughter think (at times) that I'm strange and "mad". Of coure, my wife is a writer too. Although I've never been tempted to swing from an ornamental cherry tree, I must admit that I would like to hunt (or is it haunt) the nights like a Lestat. It's nice to know we are not alone.

Poetry is one part inspiration, one part perspiration, one part love, and one part madness. Add them all up and you get "Artistic License". ~ Sara

And I say...whatever it takes to get the thought completed! Loved this Gene. Your imagination, your choice of words...wonderful!

"I have been tempted to swing
from my neighbor’s ornamental cherry tree
and howl at the street light"

I'D PAY REAL MONEY TO SEE YOU DOIN' THIS...;-) ed

I love what you do with a swing...lol, but to say this much, I just loved this poem, your a genius. You fascinate me with that beautiful mind.
Peace, love, and light,

Amber "V"

A trip reminiscing the minds that enriched the art, and stimulated learning souls to creative living... "Artistic License" paints and sings to eternity diffusing the scent of inspiration.

In respect and admiration,

Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

Gene,

These are some famous and fascinating people. Very strange. Loved this piece, very unusual.

Mary

Geniuses are our lights...the beacons of the edge..Great read Gene

Gene,
Lovely lovely rumination, kind and understanding and funny, too; I have to endorse Gianetta's remarks, but the image of you swinging naked from the cherry tree (G's fantasy?) is simply... chilling.
John

Think you should go for it, sounds reasonable to me. What an interesting walk down history, just fascinating....

Be always safe,
Karen

Thanks for all the info bout famous people, and Mama thought I was crazy! Maybe creativity is one toke over the line to madness! HUGS! SC

Williamson talks to gulls and bares his soul to the shore

before retiring to his den with a bottle of scotch

and thanking Amphitrite that he opted not to swing naked

from his neighhbor's cherry tree and howl at street lights...



okay, so I added the word "naked" - call it artistic license.



Wonderful writing - as always - Gene.

Good for you, Gene: we poets are a bit mad sometimes. When the words have to be written, so glad they are. Well done! I love the artistic flair you have with the pen. Ole!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

and I have been predisposed to pounding my chest in pseudo simian display -- we are, the lot of us, at times given to unusual behavior -- but then, who desires to be perfectly behaved, or worse yet, normal? -- peace and love to you my friend -- William Morrison -- JMW