Not so cruel after all

It was a blast getting through April, National Poetry Month. I shared 31 poets in 30 days, and every one of them brought out something from deep within me. Some thoughts from the month:

Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” practically sings itself. In the very rhythm and the vibrant images, you see a woman striding into the place, just taking charge and enjoying the hell out of it.

I keep finding myself sneaking back to archy—I can’t get enough of that cockroach. Honestly, between him and mehitabel, who needs cable TV?

My visceral response to “Ulysses” really disturbed me. I’m thinking about that one. Poetry’s meant to provoke emotion, I know; but even so…

I realized who Ozymandias reminds me of: Larry Ellison. Am I right, or am I right?

There are some poems that you have to hear to understand, and some that you have to see. Some poets distill the big ideas into just a few syllables; others give us lush word dreams. Poetry is a broad tent that way.

Some poems get you laughing because they’re purposely silly, like “Jabberwocky” and “The Pobble Who Has No Toes”. And then there’s “Pied Beauty”—which just makes you smile for joy.

You can see terrible things through poetry—a concentration camp, a gas attack, hell itself.And you can aspire to great things.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog. Don't you dare touch the remote.