Spring found me tabled
at critique and question.
I didn’t fit their norm.
They didn’t fit my unique.
They: I can’t see inside your head.
Me: I can’t dream outside your rhyme.
There wasn’t much left after the ink and smudge
so I folded my poem into a butterfly and
and set it free to fly their wind.
©Susie Clevenger 2018
To make it clear I am not opposed to critique of my work. I appreciate words that help me grow, improve my writing. This spring I found myself at a poetry workshop in the center of pick a part. I understand at times people don't get me. That's fine. I've looked at some of my work and didn't get me either. lol Oh well, I should look at the bright side....with all the blackout of my poems, they found poetry. :)
Comments
Time for a piece to sit; to be able to come back to it with a distanced view and perspective, 3rd party viewing, where one can observe and note, recognize the passion and soul (hopefully it exists in the work) yet not be "in the moment of creation" - in order to best be able to revise, edit etc. And if one is lucky, one has developed this fine characteristic over time, through mentoring, by honest aspect and appreciation by those who can stand back and aren't just overly stroking egos, whether by accredited professor, established artist etc. (I could go on for novella length, but I will spare you these words.)
Of course, having a healthy sense of humour helps, yes? In recognition that we are fickle - fickle for our own tastes, as they change and evolve, as we grow, learn, acquire more life experiences under our belts and sheets, in our dreams and aspirations. And so, a wise decision, to set it all free - how lovely, this butterfly ~ let it wing its own way to the realms where it will soar, and land, to be sighted by those who are there, in the moment.
This is a lovely gem of a butterfly poem Susie. And yes, the phrasing is more than just wonderful.
And may you continue to poem and pen as you craft and grow yourself, and of course, honour your unique language - as distinct as your eyes and fingerprints.
A very well-penned verse. And I love that you don't get yourself sometimes; that is half the charm of it. I can relate with that. :-)
-HA
I think every one who sits down to write poetry learns after awhile that not everyone is going to 'get them'. And it's all good - not everyone has to. Also it's cool that there are people who are willing to give up part of their precious time to help others figure out where an idea could be stated more clearly or developed better. But that's lightyears away from the feeling of being 'picked apart' as you describe. *shrug* May as well make the art that delights you and flies with its' own beauty in your sky when that happens.