Facile to be clever
emulate a Parker, mimic a Benchley
But where are the words
that light up the dark?
To entertain, to amuse
is that the shallow goal?
Cleverness, plentiful gush like
Texas oil and fists of rhinestones
Word play, ditties, puns and fun
in the sandbox, forever Pan
A Diogenes of poetry
searching for truth in muck and mire
Where are the words
that light up the dark?
-0-
I think you have the words that light up the dark.
O, that would be a good thing…lighting up the dark on the words I’ve written here. Maybe a beginning. Thank you for seeing that, and the read and comment!
Well done!
Thank you for the read and comment!
What amiglovis said!
Okay, Linda…guess I’ll light another lucifer then! LOL! Thanks,L!
Ah yes, I know that feeling. Intersting that in writing about wanting something “more SUbstantial, you have written about. Something very subsTatiaal and real. Also, you’re about the 3Rd poet in last couple of days to have done so.
Thanks for this.
Hi, buddy-John, good to know I’m not alone in this. Thanks, sweetie, for the read and supportive comment!
I think this is your best poem so far–thought-provoking x
Wow! Thanks for that, Steve! Really? ok, ok…..whew! *hejustraisedthebar*
‘Facile’ is my favourite of your pieces. I love your economic but effective word use as you attack the subject, which you effortlessly wrap in witty veils; no word extravagancy. Where are the words? I wish I could patch up some, to detail why I love ‘Facile.’
Thanks so much for the read and lovely comment! I think you said it well; no need for more than what you’ve said.
) Cheers!
This is very nice! I like it! The last line lands it all perfectly.
Thanks much Matt! Guess i’ll always be looking for those words. Happy New Year, poet!
not always easy to find the words that light up the dark..but sometimes a tiny spark of poetry is enough..and the fire shines bright…
Hey Claudia! Just a candle in the dark is enough sometimes. Thanks for the read and comment. Have a great 2012!
verses 5 and 6…wow! nicely done!
http://magicinthebackyard.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/singing-myself-to-wake/
Hey, Kellie! Thanks for the read and comment. I’ll be back to peek at yours and click on that link. Happy 2012!
Adore the last stanza – they really do light up the dark
Hi M! Yeah, well, better a candle than pitch black. Thanks for the read and comment! Happy 2012!
Amen. That was awesome. The words you seek are very much diamonds in the rough. You have to search them out. And the thing is, “light” is different for different people. The same poetry doesn’t move us all in the same way. I am a fan of cleverness and word play. But others may prefer beauty or music in their poetry. I like it rough, harsh, and witty.
You are a powerful poet. I will be back.
Oh, what a great coda to my day! Your words uplift me…I’ll keep rummaging around for those words, for sure! Thanks so much for your read and encouraging words. Please do come back! Have a great 2012!
)
amen…i hear you sistah…poetry with a purpose…the poets that get escorted to jail and still verse…where are they?
Brian! You funny man…how I do love your comments, your poetry, your remarks…always so damn right on! You always get it and then some…smarty pants! thanks much for read and stay the hell outa jail. Well, you will.. Have a great 2012 ..you and your family and the legos
))
I always love your poetry Poet Girl..proud of you…”A Diogenes of poetry
searching for truth in muck and mire” you write so good..I am so jealous..
Hey Steve! …and I’m jealous of your lyricism..you seem to have an unstoppable font of romance and lyrics that are enviable to any writer/poet. Thanks much for your read and lovely comment. Have a wonderful 2012!
Jackie,
Great ideas behind this poem. Always seems like some (Not on dVerse, of course!!!) believe it’s enough to be clever and glib, no matter what the format or medium. I think this applies to popular culture in general. This is good–an artful write that makes a strong point; it stands for something outside the stanzas.
Happy New Year to you.
Steve! Thanks so much for your supportive comment and the read. Not entirely slamming cleverness, but it is a sellout…all to often. Have a healthful and prosperous 2012!
i’m currently writting a letter to a young friend of mine who was just accepted into a mfa program, congratulating him of course, but also warning him of the pit falls of the white-washed neutralized language of “academic” poets, perhaps i should include this poem in the letter (you hit the spot i was aiming at)… very well said, very well written.
I’m honored that you would think that highly of this poem to include in your letter. Thank you so much for the read and comment.
Your spark is shining bright, dear Jackie…..wishing you all the best for the New Year. May your light shine brighter!
Thank you,L. for those encouraging words. And may 2012 bring you peace, happiness, and prosperity.
)
You just have to light that dark up!
Yes, John, I do! Thanks for the read and comment.
I so enjoy couplets and you weaved them perfectly in this piece, enjoyed it! My best to you for the new year my friend! ~ Rose
Hi, There! So glad you enjoyed my little poem. Thanks much for the read and comment. Wishing you and yours a healthy, happy 2012!
Nice! Your words do light up the dark – the stanza on Texas oil was especially fine
Yay! Thanks, M., for the read and lovely comment. At times the words do flow like Texas oil and fistsful of rhinestones..Glad this helped light up the dark!
Just love your words, Miss Jackie! In this one I especially connected to the following line:’
‘searching for truth in muck and mire’
Sooo good. Texas oil, too : ))
Lovely job….
-Eva
O, so value those words from you, Eva! Thanks so much for your read and supportive comment. Think I might have flu or something. Will try to get to your entry. Not ignoring you. Much gratitude!
hello again jackie..enjoyed the re-read…thanks for your nice words over at my place …and happy OLN
Actually, it is “The Tel” that’s tonights entry. “Facile” was an error and I don’t know how to erase it from the linkage. But thanks for the reread. My fault. Don’t know what OLN is. Sorry.
Excuse me, but to entertain / amuse is hardly a shallow goal. This does both and adds to those, enlightens. Great work, Moskowitz
O, I hear you, and I enjoy entertaining, amusing, but at times there is a struggle to articulate a deep emotion. Thanks so much for the read and comment
)
To entertain, to amuse
is that the shallow goal? -> so does that mean there is a much deeper goal somewhere else?
thanks so much for your great comments and for reading my posts
u r welcome .. always enjoy reading your galactic posts!// Well, sometimes, yes, there is a deeper goal somewhere else…but heck..I guess nothing wrong in entertaining, amusing…as well. Thanks, Tammy, for the read and comment.
I think you have really honed to this to sharp perceprive edges. Really well tuned. I like the repetition. That is effective and lights up a very sparely drawn insights.
Thanks so much,Chazzy, for your own perceptions, your read and comments here. Much gratitude!