This was a really interesting pick, Nelly. I’ve not finished it yet - in fact I’m only about a third of the way through - and I too have found it challenging. Mostly in a good way. It’s nice to stretch those cerebral muscles sometimes but, like you, it’s not always a collection I’m excited to pick up and it hasn’t swept me away in the way that others have. It very much asks us to stop and consider…something. Sometimes it felt like I was being asked to consider what the poet was trying to convey, and other times it felt like a challenge to my own thoughts and perspectives: “what do you really think?”
Despite only being a short way through, I’ve bookmarked a few poems to return to and there are certain lines that really struck me.
In the second poem ‘Curl’, I love the closing:
It seems wrong
to curl now within the confines
of a poem. You can’t hide
from what you made
inside what you made
or so I’m told.
And in ‘Little song’, I found the opening line really powerful:
You can’t stay vigilant and remain alive.
Although this is a slow read for me, I am looking forward to continuing to explore it with openness and thoughtfulness.
Jen, yes, this is how I feel about it too. Are u gonna keep going? There were a few times I thought about giving it up 🫣. So much to think about. Do u reckon we are drawn to ‘easier’ nowadays though because our brains are being pushed that way by tech??? That really makes me nervous.
Tnx for pulling out your faves. I like to go back and read other peoples favourites. Little Song was one of mine too x
Yes, I will keep going with it. I’ve got another slow read collection on the go at the moment as well (similar reasons - it’s interesting and challenging but not an ‘easy’ read).
I’m sure there is an element of our diminishing attention spans that makes us reach for ‘easier’ texts but for me, with poetry especially, I’m just drawn to language and rhythm that pulls me in and carries me in its flow. There are still challenging poems/collections that do this for me too but I guess then the question is whether I am taking the time to consider the full depth of meaning when I’m swept away by it. It’s an interesting one. I think there’s a balance to be struck.
I more easily find joy in writing that I get lost in but I also enjoy being made to think about things. It’s one reason why I love this book club! I think it’s easier to enjoy the challenging thinking side of it when it’s shared with others.
This is such an interesting piece. You ask/discuss all the questions I grapple with! It's really good to hear them aired so openly. I'm intrigued by this book now.
(I have written a poem with my own name in it, by the way!! 😁)
Thanks Anna, really glad to hear I'm not alone. Have you? I really want to now but I'm not sure how to do it without it sounding like I just wanted to write a poem with my name in it, haha. Is it one you've shared?? x
Yes, it's in Poetry for Life and Other Chronic Conditions. Cheerily, it's called 'Grief'. (I promise that's the only really sad poem in the book!) V. happy to share it with you (I just messaged you on Instagram in fact. Too many platforms!)
i will compare challenging poetry to the path of my relationship with something else that’s good for me: Shredded Wheat cereal. trepidation -> determination -> genuine liking.
sometimes i feel “meh” about them both, and other times i’m left thinking, “damn. that really hit the spot”. 🥣 📚 😋
I have added this to my wish list — being mid-move I am not buying anything at present — but the examples you present are intriguing.
I came back to comment, because the questions you ask stayed with me. Why I read poetry? I don’t read critically, that is for sure, other than ‘opinions’ that might occur as I read — mostly matters of rhyme or rhythm. I don’t seek to understand — I can’t always articulate why I like a certain piece, or why I admire someone and see them as “worth investigating”. But Diane Seuss, hits me on all the feels, and I will definitely seek her out when the snow flies — my time for study and growth, poetry-wise…
Oh Elizabeth I’m so glad you came to comment so now I get to benefit from your thoughts. Thank you. “I don’t seek to understand” - well that’s stopped me in my tracks. Do I constantly try to understand. Hmm. Place too high a value on understanding. You are so right, sometimes there’s no need to explain OR understand why something resonates. I tell you what I do love, is being made to think 🙏🙏🙏
P.s if you ever get to obtaining the book I’d love to know what you think. And good luck with the move x
Thanks! I will def be back if / when I get the book, have saved your post accordingly. Also because I think you have lit an introspective fire for my first Winter of Wordwork in my new solo life. As usual…Nelly the Firestarter ❤️🔥
I’m still waiting for mine to be dispatched 😣 Blackwell have had to prefer for nearly 2 weeks and it’s still pending. So I won’t have read anything by Monday. Looking at those two reviews I may cancel the order
This was a really interesting pick, Nelly. I’ve not finished it yet - in fact I’m only about a third of the way through - and I too have found it challenging. Mostly in a good way. It’s nice to stretch those cerebral muscles sometimes but, like you, it’s not always a collection I’m excited to pick up and it hasn’t swept me away in the way that others have. It very much asks us to stop and consider…something. Sometimes it felt like I was being asked to consider what the poet was trying to convey, and other times it felt like a challenge to my own thoughts and perspectives: “what do you really think?”
Despite only being a short way through, I’ve bookmarked a few poems to return to and there are certain lines that really struck me.
In the second poem ‘Curl’, I love the closing:
It seems wrong
to curl now within the confines
of a poem. You can’t hide
from what you made
inside what you made
or so I’m told.
And in ‘Little song’, I found the opening line really powerful:
You can’t stay vigilant and remain alive.
Although this is a slow read for me, I am looking forward to continuing to explore it with openness and thoughtfulness.
Jen, yes, this is how I feel about it too. Are u gonna keep going? There were a few times I thought about giving it up 🫣. So much to think about. Do u reckon we are drawn to ‘easier’ nowadays though because our brains are being pushed that way by tech??? That really makes me nervous.
Tnx for pulling out your faves. I like to go back and read other peoples favourites. Little Song was one of mine too x
Yes, I will keep going with it. I’ve got another slow read collection on the go at the moment as well (similar reasons - it’s interesting and challenging but not an ‘easy’ read).
I’m sure there is an element of our diminishing attention spans that makes us reach for ‘easier’ texts but for me, with poetry especially, I’m just drawn to language and rhythm that pulls me in and carries me in its flow. There are still challenging poems/collections that do this for me too but I guess then the question is whether I am taking the time to consider the full depth of meaning when I’m swept away by it. It’s an interesting one. I think there’s a balance to be struck.
I more easily find joy in writing that I get lost in but I also enjoy being made to think about things. It’s one reason why I love this book club! I think it’s easier to enjoy the challenging thinking side of it when it’s shared with others.
This is such an interesting piece. You ask/discuss all the questions I grapple with! It's really good to hear them aired so openly. I'm intrigued by this book now.
(I have written a poem with my own name in it, by the way!! 😁)
Thanks Anna, really glad to hear I'm not alone. Have you? I really want to now but I'm not sure how to do it without it sounding like I just wanted to write a poem with my name in it, haha. Is it one you've shared?? x
Yes, it's in Poetry for Life and Other Chronic Conditions. Cheerily, it's called 'Grief'. (I promise that's the only really sad poem in the book!) V. happy to share it with you (I just messaged you on Instagram in fact. Too many platforms!)
i will compare challenging poetry to the path of my relationship with something else that’s good for me: Shredded Wheat cereal. trepidation -> determination -> genuine liking.
sometimes i feel “meh” about them both, and other times i’m left thinking, “damn. that really hit the spot”. 🥣 📚 😋
I have added this to my wish list — being mid-move I am not buying anything at present — but the examples you present are intriguing.
I came back to comment, because the questions you ask stayed with me. Why I read poetry? I don’t read critically, that is for sure, other than ‘opinions’ that might occur as I read — mostly matters of rhyme or rhythm. I don’t seek to understand — I can’t always articulate why I like a certain piece, or why I admire someone and see them as “worth investigating”. But Diane Seuss, hits me on all the feels, and I will definitely seek her out when the snow flies — my time for study and growth, poetry-wise…
Oh Elizabeth I’m so glad you came to comment so now I get to benefit from your thoughts. Thank you. “I don’t seek to understand” - well that’s stopped me in my tracks. Do I constantly try to understand. Hmm. Place too high a value on understanding. You are so right, sometimes there’s no need to explain OR understand why something resonates. I tell you what I do love, is being made to think 🙏🙏🙏
P.s if you ever get to obtaining the book I’d love to know what you think. And good luck with the move x
Thanks! I will def be back if / when I get the book, have saved your post accordingly. Also because I think you have lit an introspective fire for my first Winter of Wordwork in my new solo life. As usual…Nelly the Firestarter ❤️🔥
I’m still waiting for mine to be dispatched 😣 Blackwell have had to prefer for nearly 2 weeks and it’s still pending. So I won’t have read anything by Monday. Looking at those two reviews I may cancel the order