Compulsive poetry disorder
“In a world drowning in useless information, poetry returns us to what is meaningful. The poem acts as a pocket of air in an upturned boat.” ~ Jeanette Winterson
So if my habits of the last few weeks are anything to go by, I have developed a new addiction… to poetry. I’m reading anthologies and finding new poets, then ordering all their books and greedily devouring every word. I’m reading poetry with my morning tea and going to bed with a book of poetry in my hand. I’m currently waiting for six books of poetry to arrive from Amazon, but had to pop out today to buy yet another one from Borders. Suddenly there’s not enough time in the day – so many words to be read, so little time! I actually wrote this in my diary the other day – there are too many words and not enough time.
Does this strike anyone as a bit obsessive?
I like to think that I’m simply reconnecting with the writerly part of me and this is part of the compost I’ve been preparing for the uber-productive book writing period that’s going to happen a n y m o m e n t n o w. I think I read somewhere that Jeanette Winterson only reads poetry when she writes her books, that they provide her with bowlfuls of nourishment. I believe she said that “poems are writing DNA.” (I can’t find either of these cuttings so I could be wrong, but somehow, I don’t think I am. It sounds exactly like something she’d say.)
As I read my book in Borders I had an overwhelming urge to lay the book on the floor, stand on the chair and literally dive into the book. I want to cover my bed with poems and writhe around naked on them.
I think I need to get out more…
For more deep breaths, go here. Image from Shutterstock.com
i hope it eases your mind to know that there are many many more disturbing things to be obsessed with than poetry.
trust me, i know these things. ;)
i hope it eases your mind to know that there are many many more disturbing things to be obsessed with than poetry.
trust me, i know these things. ;)
Poetry is a very unique window on the world, and I’ve lately been staring out of it quite a bit myself! I got the newest book of Mary Oliver poems yesterday, and I’ve been literally carrying it around with me ever since, so I can just devour those perfect words whenever I feel the need.
I also agree with you about it’s inspiration factor. Absorbing the poet’s use of words and images gets me thinking in different ways, which is good for all the creative processes.
So I have to agree with Ruby’s comment – there are lots worse things to be addicted to!
BTW, your tanka said it so perfectly :)
Poetry is a very unique window on the world, and I’ve lately been staring out of it quite a bit myself! I got the newest book of Mary Oliver poems yesterday, and I’ve been literally carrying it around with me ever since, so I can just devour those perfect words whenever I feel the need.
I also agree with you about it’s inspiration factor. Absorbing the poet’s use of words and images gets me thinking in different ways, which is good for all the creative processes.
So I have to agree with Ruby’s comment – there are lots worse things to be addicted to!
BTW, your tanka said it so perfectly :)
i feel the exact same way about anne sexton. and poetry in general. don’t worry, susannah, you’re not alone.
:)
i feel the exact same way about anne sexton. and poetry in general. don’t worry, susannah, you’re not alone.
:)
Poem as doorway! Fabulous. I love the whole poem (I wish I wrote it!) Lovely, Susannah. And yes, I think you are a bit obsessed, but some obsessions are good ;-)
xo, deborah
Poem as doorway! Fabulous. I love the whole poem (I wish I wrote it!) Lovely, Susannah. And yes, I think you are a bit obsessed, but some obsessions are good ;-)
xo, deborah
I love the image of you standing on a chair ready to dive into a book. It’s great!
I love the image of you standing on a chair ready to dive into a book. It’s great!
I am easing back into poetry.
It is too close to the surface
for me but – i’m getting there:)
Beautiful.
I am easing back into poetry.
It is too close to the surface
for me but – i’m getting there:)
Beautiful.
Haven’t you heard that poetry is dead? Next you’ll tell me you’re listening to ragtime music. How do you expect to keep in touch with Oprah? Well, we all have our burdens so do the best you can, and use an assumed name (he said with a wink and a nod).
Haven’t you heard that poetry is dead? Next you’ll tell me you’re listening to ragtime music. How do you expect to keep in touch with Oprah? Well, we all have our burdens so do the best you can, and use an assumed name (he said with a wink and a nod).
Susannah,
You never fail to intrigue. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
Poetry is the language of healing.
rel
Susannah,
You never fail to intrigue. Your enthusiasm is infectious!
Poetry is the language of healing.
rel
on the subject of disturbing poetry, you should read Charles Baudelaire. I find him a little disturbing. and well, i agree with ruby there, there’re a lot more other things more disturbing to be obsessed about than poetry.
on the subject of disturbing poetry, you should read Charles Baudelaire. I find him a little disturbing. and well, i agree with ruby there, there’re a lot more other things more disturbing to be obsessed about than poetry.
Hmmm…must be something in the air. Recently I bought five books of poetry and ordered more from Amazon.co.uk. In the past few months, I have rediscovered a love of poetry – something I’d ignored for years. And I agree, there’s never enough time to read all the wondrous words just begging to be absorbed. Your poem is beautiful, speaking to adventures and delights waiting to be discovered.
Hmmm…must be something in the air. Recently I bought five books of poetry and ordered more from Amazon.co.uk. In the past few months, I have rediscovered a love of poetry – something I’d ignored for years. And I agree, there’s never enough time to read all the wondrous words just begging to be absorbed. Your poem is beautiful, speaking to adventures and delights waiting to be discovered.
I’ve seen the suggestion that you do lots of reading when you are writing, just choose a different genre to read than what you are writing – so it seems perfect to read poetry, if you are writing prose.
I love discovering new poets, too.
Loved “poem as doorway” in your haiku, and the Jeanette Winterson quote.
Have you read Kathleen Jamie? My latest “find”
I’ve seen the suggestion that you do lots of reading when you are writing, just choose a different genre to read than what you are writing – so it seems perfect to read poetry, if you are writing prose.
I love discovering new poets, too.
Loved “poem as doorway” in your haiku, and the Jeanette Winterson quote.
Have you read Kathleen Jamie? My latest “find”
If this is a disease, I am likewise infected, my dear. This whole post has a prose-poem vibe to it, so there you go…you’re going to write a (brilliant!) prose-poem-novel (and I’ll buy it).
If this is a disease, I am likewise infected, my dear. This whole post has a prose-poem vibe to it, so there you go…you’re going to write a (brilliant!) prose-poem-novel (and I’ll buy it).
your view of poetry do not strike me as the slightest bit obsessive, but maybe i’m the wrong person to ask ;-)
*b*ee*yoo*tee*ful* tanka.
now…
do you fancy a swim?
your view of poetry do not strike me as the slightest bit obsessive, but maybe i’m the wrong person to ask ;-)
*b*ee*yoo*tee*ful* tanka.
now…
do you fancy a swim?
heehee…
i love the passionate way
you speak of poetry…
and i am so going to check
into jeanette winterson.
:)
heehee…
i love the passionate way
you speak of poetry…
and i am so going to check
into jeanette winterson.
:)
While you’re on your poetry binge I’m on a short story binge — I just order a slew of anthologies from Amazon and eagerly await them! Nothing wrong with a new obsession like that. Also, I love the colors in your pic above! Yum.
While you’re on your poetry binge I’m on a short story binge — I just order a slew of anthologies from Amazon and eagerly await them! Nothing wrong with a new obsession like that. Also, I love the colors in your pic above! Yum.
Your obsession could be alot worse. Take joy in it. I’m with you all the way!
Your obsession could be alot worse. Take joy in it. I’m with you all the way!
well, if it’s obsessive then i’m right there with you. i guess they could lock us away together…as long as they gave us a good library of poetry books and some pens and paper…
i haven’t had a lot of money to spend on books lately so i’ve had to start re-reading…oh, but do i have a list waiting for christmas…
well, if it’s obsessive then i’m right there with you. i guess they could lock us away together…as long as they gave us a good library of poetry books and some pens and paper…
i haven’t had a lot of money to spend on books lately so i’ve had to start re-reading…oh, but do i have a list waiting for christmas…
very cool photo and the tanka fits perfectly…a little obsession to reading never hurt anyone ;-)
very cool photo and the tanka fits perfectly…a little obsession to reading never hurt anyone ;-)
Well if you’re into reading poetry then i’m into writing it. Could do it constantly. I guess i should read more of it… but then i’m coming to yours tomorrow eve so i can steal it all!!! xxx
Well if you’re into reading poetry then i’m into writing it. Could do it constantly. I guess i should read more of it… but then i’m coming to yours tomorrow eve so i can steal it all!!! xxx
Yes! I often feel like their are too many words and not enough time. I feel like my whole life is bursting in a wonderful way. There is so much Beauty I want to grasp it all!
Yes! I often feel like their are too many words and not enough time. I feel like my whole life is bursting in a wonderful way. There is so much Beauty I want to grasp it all!
i love it when we are so inspired by something that we want to drown ourselves in it. love it. love it!
i love it when we are so inspired by something that we want to drown ourselves in it. love it. love it!
Not an obsession in the least. Somethings in the air…I bought 3 poetry books last week and have written down at least 4 more. I just can’t get enough!
However, the naked thing? I’m not feelin that one yet ;-)
lovins,
xxxd
Not an obsession in the least. Somethings in the air…I bought 3 poetry books last week and have written down at least 4 more. I just can’t get enough!
However, the naked thing? I’m not feelin that one yet ;-)
lovins,
xxxd
you
are
so
cute.
i can definitely see how reading poetry can inspire writing. i love that you are doing this. there is a huge reason and i have a feeling it has everything to do with your book, love.
my sexy naked poet.
you
are
so
cute.
i can definitely see how reading poetry can inspire writing. i love that you are doing this. there is a huge reason and i have a feeling it has everything to do with your book, love.
my sexy naked poet.
Go with it sweetie because you are a writer and reading inspires :) I love the way you write and could picture you standing on that chair.
Go with it sweetie because you are a writer and reading inspires :) I love the way you write and could picture you standing on that chair.
Susannah (said in a MOST stern voice)
I am worrrrriiiied about you!
Not.
Bahhahahahaha.
All, everything, whatever… you write… is sexellent (get it)!!!
Oh ignore me… just heading off on holidays (yah, little excited) !!!
Be cool girl.
Be you.
Bx
Susannah (said in a MOST stern voice)
I am worrrrriiiied about you!
Not.
Bahhahahahaha.
All, everything, whatever… you write… is sexellent (get it)!!!
Oh ignore me… just heading off on holidays (yah, little excited) !!!
Be cool girl.
Be you.
Bx
to me it doesn’t sound obsessive, it sounds necessary. here’s to hoping you get all the time you need to dive into those words.
thank you for your kind words you left me.
to me it doesn’t sound obsessive, it sounds necessary. here’s to hoping you get all the time you need to dive into those words.
thank you for your kind words you left me.
Yes, don’t worry there are worse things to be obsessed with.
Great poem and lovely description :P
Yes, don’t worry there are worse things to be obsessed with.
Great poem and lovely description :P
First tingles in the last post and now LOL. You are great sweetness.
I think this is exactly what you describe – food for writing your book:)
First tingles in the last post and now LOL. You are great sweetness.
I think this is exactly what you describe – food for writing your book:)
Hey I was also wondering if you’ve got the journal prject journal at the moment? Just wondering how far its got!
Hey I was also wondering if you’ve got the journal prject journal at the moment? Just wondering how far its got!
great photo; fun title!!
new blog:
http://ascenderrisesabove.com/wordpress/
great photo; fun title!!
new blog:
http://ascenderrisesabove.com/wordpress/