[Nick McRae]

Originally Posted by Jim Moonan

.
Is this even possible? Could there ever be a topic/subject that is no longer fodder for poetry? Are dogs verboten, too? Death? Love? Poetry? (Well, maybe poetry.) I object to that. I could be wrong and understand the thrust of Szymborska's quote, but I'd rather consider them as having an exceptionally high bar. The poet may fail repeatedly at clearing it, but it's understandable why such topics continue to produce poetry. Beauty is truth, truth beauty.

I'd think the quote is only semi-serious, but that there's also truth to it. If we accept poetry as being analogous to any other art form, then there's definitely an element of - what comes now should proceed what came before.

But like in other art forms, after a while you reach a limit on what can be done, so some repetition is necessary. But death? spring? I'll be honest, I'm completely desensitized to both of these topics. There's no rule that says you can't write about them, but they do strike me as tired subjects for anyone who's read a lot of poetry.

[RCL]

Jim,

Thanks for the pleasure of your response and renewing interest in poetry about nature. There will be other poems about spring's palette, but for now I am nearly obsessed with the notion of the Artist reprising his art repeatedly. I keep hitting a wall but somehow bounce back a little. Looking for major prose from you in the future,

[Roger Slater]

Personally, I think it's silly to say there should be no more poems about spring, or any other subject. How about love poems? Are we through with those? Maybe someone should make an authoritative list of subjects that are currently available for poets in 2024 to write about.

[Julie Steiner]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dbY...cCartney-Topic

[Roger Slater]

I don't even have to click to know where that link would take me.

[Rick Mullin]

I agree with Roger, of course. Or maybe we can get a clear statement defining where poetry currently exists as a genre so that we can avoid that area (if we aren't already doing that instinctively as should be the case) and write more poems about spring and love. And dogs.


Nothing wrong with the sock drawer, Ralph. Mine is so full I can't close it.~,:^)


RM

[Jim Moonan]

.

Originally Posted by Roger Slater

I don't even have to click to know where that link would take me.

But my hunch is you did click and listened and it renewed your faith in and love for love songs. And if by chance you didn't you should. It's like a breath of fresh air, which makes it a nature song, too. I'll bet there's even a dog barking somewhere between the notes.

.

[Julie Steiner]

Ralph, it might be fun to have your supernatural Artist express doubts about rehashing the same tired themes, year after year.

[RCL]

Julie,

That's a slant well worth trying!

[Jan Iwaszkiewicz]

Rules in poetry?

As a Thoreau said:
“Any fool can make a rule and any fool can mind it!”

The ‘rules’ can only be guidelines. Good poetry that transcends the page can break every one of them.

Jan