This week, Anthony, our host at dVersePoetics wants us to investigate and ponder on what has made us the poets we are today – was there a turning point long ago, or was the event more recent?
For me, it’s an easy question to answer – the death of my dad last summer. It released something in me, made me much less afraid of expressing my emotions, which I used to keep locked up in a vault. For some reason I chose to rhyme this one – the first verse dictated the pattern, I’m afraid. Blame it on Bryan Adams!
I hope you enjoy my offering – and please do join us! The pub opens at 3pm EST, and I’ll be linking up later. As is my new way, the audio is now also available, which is a minor miracle, since until late morning today, i had lost my voice! Read all about my sickness – here!
Such an insightful description of the “turning point” which unlocked the vault for you…yes, art touches us in sensitive places and our emotions should not be suppressed…you have a wonderful reading voice which really enhances the reader/listener experience
ha. you are not the only one…i came to poetry in my mid thirties…not when i was young and maybe that is for the better so i can curb out some of that anx and ha….nice nod to bryan adams in the opening…and so much to be said that can only seem to be said through poetry….i am glad you found your voice…smiles.
Freya, I think I remember those entries.. and yes such an sorrowful event… Myself I had turned 50 before venturing into poetry… and i really don’t know why.. Very nice to hear your voice also… so much easier to hear the meter now… great entry Freya..
I am so sorry that your wife passed away when you were both so young. My dad was only 60, so although the relationship is of course completely different, I too can relate to your loss. Poetry works so much better, I think. Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it.
you have a lovely voice! And glad you found poetry, it can be so much: therapist, pain pill, joy-giver, etc… until you’ve gone to poetry in times of need not knowing what else to turn to, you don’t know how helpful those word can be…
Thank you, Anthony! I feel very, very British when I hear myself back! Yes, poetry just works so much better (for me) than prose, in those kind of circumstances. I find it easier to be true to my experiences in poetic form than in prose.
Thank you, rmp. Yes, I am taking the positives from our family’s loss as much as I can – I think you just have to do that, or else you can end up in a very, very dark place.
You write what I feel and do it in such enviable style!
I love this. Full of nuances and the way you include other characters in such a succinct form, is masterful.
That is what is so powerful about poetry, or any writing. Allowing us to pour out what we feel, in our heart, in our gut. We can bleed, laugh or scream through our words. My thoughts on your loss, he would be proud.
I like the idea of being able to bleed on the page without horror or fright. If one can write something on the page, I think, it is a good way of working through something horrible. A good way to come to the ‘other side,’ metaphorically & live on. I also think that ‘raw emotions’ are the stuff of the best poetry; or I should say that poems with raw (or real) emotion are the kinds of poems I most prefer.
I agree – ridding ourselves of inhibitions on the page is a wonderful way of working through what life throws at us and seeing the brightness on the horizon. I think it’s a way of being true to ourselves.
It is a very good thing that poetry allowed you to express your grief and sorrow, and also to slowly heal. I suppose that since your dad was a poet too, it is a way to connect in a very special way.
I had to do something – you know there are only so many times you can lay your loss out for others to comfort you, after a while it doesn’t seem to help. You are right, it is a special connection with him, and I have an idea that somewhere, his spirit is listening in.
Indeed – love how you fashioned your response in rhythm and rhyme – nothing like the tried and true — meter and rhyme to make one feel the poetry, feel the emotion, fall into the song, experience the sensation. Thank you.
Freya Writes... 
Such an insightful description of the “turning point” which unlocked the vault for you…yes, art touches us in sensitive places and our emotions should not be suppressed…you have a wonderful reading voice which really enhances the reader/listener experience
Thank you so much, Lynne, for both comments. until recently, I wasn’t that keen on hearing my own voice in this way!
Poetry is certainly an excellent medium for expressing so many different emotions.
I agree – better than prose for me,
ha. you are not the only one…i came to poetry in my mid thirties…not when i was young and maybe that is for the better so i can curb out some of that anx and ha….nice nod to bryan adams in the opening…and so much to be said that can only seem to be said through poetry….i am glad you found your voice…smiles.
Yes, there’s something to be said for waiting awhile! I’m glad the Bryan Adams reference made sense – I loved that song as a teenager! Thank you…:)
Freya, I think I remember those entries.. and yes such an sorrowful event… Myself I had turned 50 before venturing into poetry… and i really don’t know why.. Very nice to hear your voice also… so much easier to hear the meter now… great entry Freya..
Wow, Bjorn – 50! I agree though, I don’t really know why I waited until my early 40s to jump back in properly. I’m glad you enjoyed the audio too…
Thank you for including your reading of your poem. Your recitation gives it a lovely depth.
Thank you so much, Maureen. It was a pleasure.
I can relate, Freya. I started writing a couple of years ago, at the tender age of 64, after my wife passed away. Thank you for sharing.
I am so sorry that your wife passed away when you were both so young. My dad was only 60, so although the relationship is of course completely different, I too can relate to your loss. Poetry works so much better, I think. Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it.
you have a lovely voice! And glad you found poetry, it can be so much: therapist, pain pill, joy-giver, etc… until you’ve gone to poetry in times of need not knowing what else to turn to, you don’t know how helpful those word can be…
Thank you, Anthony! I feel very, very British when I hear myself back! Yes, poetry just works so much better (for me) than prose, in those kind of circumstances. I find it easier to be true to my experiences in poetic form than in prose.
Freya, for me, these lines tell me you are on the correct path for your expressive heart:
I can bleed on the page
without horror or fright
at my raw, stark emotions
which should not be suppressed –
they are what make me
create my art at its best.
Thank you so much, Walt.
My dad was a poet too…and I love Bryan Adams. Cool that you found poetry.
What a great and unexpected connection we have made, then! Thank you for reading, Ayala.
’13 may not trip of the tongue the way ’69 does, but it definitely has not stopped you from creating a smooth flowing piece.
loss can definitely help to open us up to something new and healing.
Thank you, rmp. Yes, I am taking the positives from our family’s loss as much as I can – I think you just have to do that, or else you can end up in a very, very dark place.
I feel the honesty of this piece – I think poetry starts from honesty.
Yes, I think you’re right. Thank you.
I can say that with confidence, I think 🙂
You write what I feel and do it in such enviable style!
I love this. Full of nuances and the way you include other characters in such a succinct form, is masterful.
Thank you, hanna, I really appreciate your comments!
That is what is so powerful about poetry, or any writing. Allowing us to pour out what we feel, in our heart, in our gut. We can bleed, laugh or scream through our words. My thoughts on your loss, he would be proud.
Thank you, I like to think that he would be proud. Yes, writing for me is definitely cathartic.
I like the idea of being able to bleed on the page without horror or fright. If one can write something on the page, I think, it is a good way of working through something horrible. A good way to come to the ‘other side,’ metaphorically & live on. I also think that ‘raw emotions’ are the stuff of the best poetry; or I should say that poems with raw (or real) emotion are the kinds of poems I most prefer.
I agree – ridding ourselves of inhibitions on the page is a wonderful way of working through what life throws at us and seeing the brightness on the horizon. I think it’s a way of being true to ourselves.
It is a very good thing that poetry allowed you to express your grief and sorrow, and also to slowly heal. I suppose that since your dad was a poet too, it is a way to connect in a very special way.
I had to do something – you know there are only so many times you can lay your loss out for others to comfort you, after a while it doesn’t seem to help. You are right, it is a special connection with him, and I have an idea that somewhere, his spirit is listening in.
This is lovely Freya and how good to hear a voice to your words. I enjoyed this, the story of beginnings always intrigues me. Well done.
Thank you, and thank you!
Indeed – love how you fashioned your response in rhythm and rhyme – nothing like the tried and true — meter and rhyme to make one feel the poetry, feel the emotion, fall into the song, experience the sensation. Thank you.
Thank you, Gay.
Wonderful meaningful write.
Thank you, Maggie.