Tag Archives: National poetry writing month

On the Lyrical Eve

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Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven
is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.
Matthew 13:52 [ESV]

This will be my second year posting a poem per day during April for National Poetry Writing Month aka NaPoWriMo.

I must qualify my participation in this lyrical conflagration; I am bringing forth poems already written but never posted—which causes me to consider my poetic rationale: spontaneous gush vs. obsessive workmanship.

I used to believe that creative souls produce their most authentic work in a frenzied flow of inspiration. This is the modern myth of the Artist as oracle or prophet; a being so special she/he just HAS to get it out there in one inspired unburdening. To alter it is to make it less authentic; rather like vomiting or excretion, no?  But as I grew up and reconsidered things, I moved away from this model. I realized that derivative techniques like collage, “found poetry“, surrealist shock-art, dadaist mockery of previous paradigms and the ironic take on a well-known theme are all good fun, but in the end too easy. This approach cheapens the creative discourse and eventually tries to turn art into a “happening”, poetry into “automatic writing”, music into nihilistic cacophony, and so on.

Stream-of-consciousness dribbles, rants and visionary diatribes often (though not always) make for boring art; we are reminded that we have seen it many times before. Some do it very well—that is sure. I like surrealistic collage and quirky spontaneous juxtaposition, don’t get me wrong; but as a steady diet it will leave you artistically malnourished. We can’t all be dadaists or minimalist mystics . . . or even Zen haikuists. The other approach to art stresses craftsmanship and mastery and goes against the model of “Artist as mystically-inspired Other” which has been foisted upon us since the beginning of Modernism in the late 19th century.

So I confess—I am not really writing one-a-day for April. I am bringing out of my coffers amateur jewelry set with merely semi-precious stones. I have, however, been reworking, refining, polishing, and finishing these adornments for my loyal Connectees. They have been faithfully and obsessively crafted.

I invite you to read my poetry over the next 30 days. And remember—
you have the RIGHT to be offended !

Incendiary Bestiary

 

Unlocked, loaded, let your words flame papercandle-flame

set arson to thought-control, combust news.

Pyro-dissident: touch fire to their views

Reveal new topographies, mind-shaper.

Spark a candle—a single thin taper.

Subvert what the worldlings dare not refuse.

The herd will always revile or accuse;

but contours alter for you, landscaper—

so chastise darkness. Proclaim what is right.

(When their stable burns down due to your light

or smoldering, implodes, it’s not your fault.)

If the status quo will not acquiesce

then muster another frontal assault.

There’s no shame in a flame; just incandesce…

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Poetry on Draft

 

NaPoWriMo COLORSI decided to join National Poetry Writing Month this year.

When I first heard of NaPoWriMo, I thought the syllables were  some kind of  Tibetan mantra. Although I don’t quite get the concept of April as “National Poetry Month” (in the U.S.), I am still going to give it a shot. I find the idea of Poetry Month a bit absurd, like “National Child Abuse Awareness Month” (which, ironically, is ALSO April in the U.S. of A).

Are we open to lyrical reality only during that 30-day window?

Does our muse speak to us more in April than in other months?

Are children abused less in April because we are aware of their plight?

Still – I have more than 31 drafts and I need to post them…
so I will be a skeptical participant in Na Po Wri Mo 2014.

IMAGE CREDIT: lyricfire.typepad.com