Just wrote it for myself…

One of the most discouraging responses a teacher of a writing course (read here: poetry course) can hear from a student,

I just wrote it for myself.

   Huh?!

   Unfortunately, few writing students ever approach an instructor and ask, how do I make this better—more legible, more interesting…?

Pick up dry cleaning

Car to car wash—get tires detailed

Parent teacher meeting 7:00 p.m.

Grocery Store

      Frozen Peas and Carrots

      Yogurt

      Milk—1/2 gal. whole

      Soda

      Paper Towels

(On the fridge magnet)

      Turn off Lights

      Feed Furball—don’t forget water

      Call Aunt Myra … …

This is what one writes for one’s self, a shopping list; scribbles to hang on the fridge as a reminder so Furball doesn’t die of starvation due to one’s absent mindedness… A diary, one writes for one’s self (not necessarily so, with a “journal”). The list or diary complete with scratch-outs, abbreviations; grammar, syntax, punctuation, consistency and spelling mistakes—of no matter…no matter, because it is a list, instructions, personal notes, not intended for anyone else; or at least beyond providing information, not intended for anyone else to enjoy as an elegant, refined piece.

Writing (poetry) is a form of communication; a method by which one extends themselves to others, an audience by virtue of their style, knowledge, empathy, authority and vision. Truly, a representation of one’s self and how they feel about, that self.

   If one cares not, what others feel about or think of their work, for heaven’s sake quit asking, what do you think of this?

No need, then, to continue polishing, researching and revising…just hang these scribbles of no consequence, written for yourself, on the fridge-magnet for your own edification.

…Or, do you, really, not care…?

Never enuff Frosted Sugar Bombs for breakfast…Max tdc

     

the Frankenstein Jerk

Legacy of the 5-7-5 nightmare

Haiku: an elegant and immediate form of poetry, its roots placed in pre-Buddhist literature or chants beyond four hundred years ago. A form, steeped primarily in pastoral beauty and simplicity.

…Don’t know another way (at this time) to adequately describe the results of the majority of current “haiku” (haiku-type) “poetry.” “Lately” being only a basic, convenient time-placement for those who would endeavor to become accomplished “ku-ists.”  For in actuality, the western interpretation and clunky attempts at reconstructing, the poetry style similar to or miming haiku has been around ever since the early 1900’s with the Imagist movement.

   Ginsberg attempted to redefine the form most fitting the westernized speech patterns as “American sentences.” And if having the reader of any poem, feel comfortable while reading, is your goal, this might be a good interpretation to embrace.

   If, while reading a properly translated version of Buson, Shiki, Issa, Basho’s works, one will readily note: the proper western translation does not follow the archaic mumbo-jumbo of 5-7-5 syllables (or sound units.) Folks, that’s because western speech patterns are not Japanese. It takes a westerner less space if written, less energy and sound units if spoken to incorporate more variations and sound functions. We use conjunctions, prepositions…even contractions to humanize our communication. To delete these most common forms of grammar (a difficult accomplishment at best) leaves one’s “haiku” with the awkward feel of—well, Frankenstein doing the jerk. And it ain’t pretty.

Traditional seventeen syllable “haiku” is a great disciplinary medium for cutting away the excess verbiage in a piece of work. But enuff is enuff, Grasshopper. After the globs of extra fat are whacked away, the final result, one would assume, is to end up with a short, concise, flowing “poem” that is easily understood, relevant to, and feels conversational. Maybe, even regional…?

Notice, the word “relevance” in the preceding paragraph? Contemplate that for a while, Grasshopper. Relevence.

   If one has access to a decent translation with historical reference (Jane Reichhold’s, Basho the complete haiku, is a primo example) of Japanese historic haiku—it will become self- evident, why most readers respond: Haiku? Oh, ya. Read that once… Relevance. Much of what is historically written, is only relevant to that period in time, to what is happening to writers and readers, at that time. (A beneficial hint: while writing, using current events, terminology that is borderline gittchy, euphemisms, slang, etc…in a very short while, no one will know or care what you are writing about. Your works will be quickly outdated and relegated to: oh ya, read that once…)

   Written communication can transcend time periods, but must be written in such a way as to provide a perspective that will be relevant to any time period in the future. No small task.

Max tdc