I must confess to a certain ennui and dilatory mood in respect of my writing lately. Having just returned from another spell away, I am presently contenting myself with shaking out the fluff from the corners of me poetry bag, this old poem included! :))
I am therefore looking forward to April as the upcoming NaPoWriMo - The National Poetry Writing Month. If you will bear with me, I intend to use this time as a completely experimental and free writing period, pledging to "write" something every day, if only a fragment, a phrase, a stream of nonsensical words of consciousness - in an attempt to shake myself into new possibilities in terms of voice and writing styles. To create, in effect, a completely fresh writing canvas.
Experimentalists believe, I think, that poetry "is not to be understood as much as felt and experienced" and to this end I would be delighted if you would collaborate with me if you'd like to comment on what you take (if anything, and even if nothing!!) from each entry. I am fascinated by the knowledge that NO two brains think alike or respond in the same way to black and white shapes on a page. Please, if you would like to, engage in this process with me by adding your own thoughts and responses, even if they seem unintelligible, because the act of poetry is a partnership, a contract between writer and reader.
In this way I hope to "mix it up a little" and to see what comes out of it! I hope you enjoy! :)) Thanks in advance for your interaction. Could prove interesting! eKsperimentally Kreative Kate xx
"To surrender to loneliness is to admit new presences, new voices into that abject emptiness." Brendan Kennelly
SOLITUDE V LONELINESS
Solitude:
the cosmonaut floating
through books on Newton’s Law;
the island recluse,
with stick in sand,
cataloguing waves;
the deaf-mute’s animated
silence sifting empty crowds
on the street.
Loneliness is the sudden clap
closing on the strike of twelve:
a draught, a gasp,
a chink, a link,
a blink, a hic, a tic…
that momentary flicker
when your own soul opens
its door just a crack –
then shuts it tight
with a click.
(Thinks) I guess solitude is the kinda thing monks, hermits and other peeps choose. Loneliness is that awful midday demon.
The first three stanzas are outstanding. Seeing that you know nuffink:)
It will be interesting to see where your words carry us next. Looking forward to a new and enlightened Kate. Re your poem: solitude is something to be desired when life closes in on us while loneliness leaves us wishing for something we've lost or for the company of a gentle and understanding voice.
Georgexx
About this poem-- I loved the sharp contrast you have between the two seemingly similar terms. Solitude has all the romance and depth that I sometimes crave and the well from which my better lines emerge, whereas Lonliness is a shut-out of emotion--dried-up well, etc...
You prime up these two emotions exquisitely-- solitude by drawing out those nice open tones "aw", "oo", "OH" and our minds subconsciously linger over your alliterations-- the repetitive vowel sounds, and then the n-m and s's... we hold them out and then BAM!! you slam that door shut with those short, clicky vowels like "a" and "i" and the sharp gutturals and stops of your "p" and "k's".
I think, that poetry "is not to be understood as much as felt and experienced"
I agree with this statement, Kate. Your poem does that for me. It makes me think and it makes me feel. I can enjoy solitude; not so loneliness. Love and best wishes to you,
I KNOW loneliness & depression well, though now that I finally bought and got a car on the road I feel less of both, of late, thankfully...looking forward to those daily writes of yours...Hope your NYC trip worked out for you, did you get to see anybody? Ed
solitude is time we spend reclusive, to ponder to experiment to think and reason to collect about us many streams of input -- a time of joy, or sorrow, but almost certainly, elective in nature and scope -- a time of great joy or learning and excitement -- loneliness on the other hand, rarely, if ever encompasses any of those attributes of enjoyment or fulfillment -- solitude, harmony -- loneliness, rejection, self imposed or forced upon us -- a piece to ponder long and review critically for meaning meaning Kate -- a marvelous exercise -- peace and love be always with you my dear friend -- Jon Michael
High five, Jer! :)) I submitted a fairly innocuous poem, I thought, to an Editor who was seeking entries for just such a Kafka-esque compilation: " What we must have are those... that come on us like ill fortune, like the death of one we love better than ourselves, like suicide. A (book/poem) must be AN ICE AXE TO BREAK THE FROZEN SEA INSIDE US..." - and he actually took the time to write back and tell me he found the poem too disturbing!!!!!!!! ????????? REALLY??????????? HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN ME TO WRITE LIKE THAT???? Ach well, his point of view but contrary to his self-ordained requirements, I thought. So I very much know what you mean about feeling comfortable (or not) within the sound of your own voice - and that of others. Hopefully, though, NaPoWriMo will also throw up some delights along with the howls of the "rebirthing" process! Thanks for coming along for the ride; good to have your company! :)) xx
Kate, great idea!
Here goes:
Loneliness I have felt this and have written many a poem about this subject. If I could state one feeling about loneliness I would say, that people who do not love themselves harbor loneliness. If you cannot feel good when you are alone, then you will always feel loneliness.
Solitude, now that's another subject, I love my solitude. It then that I can create works of art with my designs of costumes or on paper with my words.
I love to be alone, I do not like the feeling of loneliness. So I always choose Life over loneliness. Nature can make you feel alive and that's where I go when I get the bouts of loneliness. (ocean/forest somewhere to connect to Mother Earth!)
In closing, having the opportunity to be a part of this community on the Den I always feel that there is someone in my life that cares.
Undone by the imagery, the power in these lines that speak louder than ears can hear ... well done, Kate.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on March 29, 2010
Oh hell, Kate, you know I gotta be here for the rebirth as it were of your "voice." I love your voice as is, but I damn well understand reaching out for new ones. I am going through a strange period in my writing poetry, as well as my novels. I have put my past behind me, finally, last October, and in other words I was "born again," but not in the common application of that phrase. Since then I believe my poetry has taken on a much different voice, and it isn't particularly one that I like. More than one has mentioned in the comment section that they liked my "softer" tone in my writing. Well I don't! I have a quote from Kafka on my email which says, "I think we should only read books which wound and stab us." I think that is true of poetry also. In other words, Kate, I am in the process of trying to find the passion I used to have when I wrote of my checkered past, and I started today actually with my latest poem. So, yep, I'll be here chipping in whatever I can chip in. Look forward to it.
This poem is telling. Solitude is by choice, which doesn't mean that it is more kinder than loneliness, and in fact cant mesomorph into loneliness if you stay too long at the well of solitude.
This is a book of free verse poetry that addresses the seven main tests in life and offers some sensible solutions to passing those tests with minimal discomfort.
“The woman or man who is a poet, or fiction writer, or playwright, or all of these, is engaged constantly in a jazz ballet of vocabularies, passions, genders, histories, perspectives, death, love, and life. The music of revelation announces itself to
From the author of Jupiter Remembered and Until It’s Time: Embracing Life In Our Later Years comes Petals of Love: Poetry of a Woman’s Soul – a heartfelt collection spanning more than thirty-five years. Through tender reflections, these poems offer g
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excellent imagery as usual ...
Your work is very special, Kate! Good to
see you back!
ET
The first three stanzas are outstanding. Seeing that you know nuffink:)
xxx
Georgexx
loneliness is -1
solitude is dinner with sonata
loneliness is takeaway for one
solitude is in the head
loneliness in the gut
...fine work, Kate, as ever...and the promise of much more to come is exciting.
John
Georg
About this poem-- I loved the sharp contrast you have between the two seemingly similar terms. Solitude has all the romance and depth that I sometimes crave and the well from which my better lines emerge, whereas Lonliness is a shut-out of emotion--dried-up well, etc...
You prime up these two emotions exquisitely-- solitude by drawing out those nice open tones "aw", "oo", "OH" and our minds subconsciously linger over your alliterations-- the repetitive vowel sounds, and then the n-m and s's... we hold them out and then BAM!! you slam that door shut with those short, clicky vowels like "a" and "i" and the sharp gutturals and stops of your "p" and "k's".
Perfect. --Charlie
love shape shifts
we bow our heads to greet
the taste of lonliness
How's that Kreative Kate...my two cents worth.
hug
fee
I agree with this statement, Kate. Your poem does that for me. It makes me think and it makes me feel. I can enjoy solitude; not so loneliness. Love and best wishes to you,
Regis
Newfie Hugs, Rose
Here goes:
Loneliness I have felt this and have written many a poem about this subject. If I could state one feeling about loneliness I would say, that people who do not love themselves harbor loneliness. If you cannot feel good when you are alone, then you will always feel loneliness.
Solitude, now that's another subject, I love my solitude. It then that I can create works of art with my designs of costumes or on paper with my words.
I love to be alone, I do not like the feeling of loneliness. So I always choose Life over loneliness. Nature can make you feel alive and that's where I go when I get the bouts of loneliness. (ocean/forest somewhere to connect to Mother Earth!)
In closing, having the opportunity to be a part of this community on the Den I always feel that there is someone in my life that cares.
To Solitude and life!
Peace, love, and light, dear heart,
Amber "V"
Cheers,
Dan
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
This poem is telling. Solitude is by choice, which doesn't mean that it is more kinder than loneliness, and in fact cant mesomorph into loneliness if you stay too long at the well of solitude.