Conscious Choice: Poetic Inspiration

December 2005 | Choice Feedback

Poetic Inspiration

I have just finished reading (Marla Donato’s November issue) interview with Robert Bly. I want to thank you for this wonderful interview and the opportunity to read the thoughts and ideas expressed by this great poet about the world in which we live.

Alas, I was not able to attend his reading at the Unity Temple in Chicago, though I am an Illinois poet who has been involved with Chicagopoetry.com for several years.

That is why I appreciate even more the interview that you held with Mr. Bly, since I could not be there to experience him in person.

These conversations with poets, those who have been through some momentous world and American history, are so valuable in that they teach those of us who have yet so much to learn, to gain strength from their observations about life and humanity, to give us hope and express wisdom about the human condition.

My husband is from Pakistan and he can attest to the importance of ghazals in his culture. Though I have not personally experimented with this poetic form, I have enjoyed various ghazal readings throughout the years, both in the U.S. (with my husband’s college friends) and in Pakistan (Karachi). Actually, I cannot truthfully call them readings, for the poets know the ghazals and quote them by heart. The audience will intersperse each stanza with a “Wah-Wah” (which interpreted means “Bravo” or a praise given).

When I visited Pakistan, these events were held at some of the wealthier homes, but everyone is invited, and they cook huge amounts of food, prepared in large clay pots implanted into the ground, after wood has been burned down to hot embers. In this, they cook biryani (chicken and zafran rice), and haleem (a meat and grain dish that is very delicious, and does best cooked in quantity and slowly over a number of hours).

In Pakistan, or rather, the Pakistan I know, poetry and the sharing/reading/speaking of it is a celebration, and considered a very spiritual and enriching experience.

I hope that in the future, poetry will rise to this occasion in homes, on airwaves, on television, in every way in American everyday culture, so that everyday people will once again consider it part of their education and their personal preference to memorize and recite poetry. My mother is 80 years old, and she recently gave a poetry recitation to her friends, almost an hour of verse she memorized in elementary, junior and senior high school. Nowadays, most children can quote Shel Silverstein a bit, but that’s about it — none of the historically great poets. How sad.

When we know poetry, we are closer to our own souls and the souls of those around us. We reach a higher plain of existence. We all need poetry in our lives.

Thank you for this interview that reminded me why I write poetry, and why staying in touch with the poets such as Robert Bly is so imperative to growth as a writer and as a human being.

— Anna Husain, Poet and Seeker of Truth, Managing Editor, Whetstone Journal, Barrington Area Arts Council

YOUR INTERVIEW with Robert Bly was quite refreshing. It inspired this:

Looking at me fortune blots
Brindle glotch me fortune blots.
Hearing distant battle shots.
Connecting dark important dots.
Blotting out misguided knots
Twisted on our sleeping cots.
Bedazed amazed pugnacious craze
Contemporary morning days.
As long as fortune stays apart
I feel punished by my art.
Now the cloy of inward clots
Begins to toy me pondered thoughts.
So I glue this all at once
Raging at my fake silence.

— Kimberly Smith, Canning, Nova Scotia

Hurricane Katrina Response

LIKE MOST Americans, I am simply sickened by the failures of local, state, and federal officials in dealing with Hurricane Katrina. In response, I have written a letter directed at politicians and members of the media that includes what I believe are many practical solutions that will help ensure another such disaster will not be so grossly mishandled and more people will be saved.

I believe that there needs to be a massive combined effort in order to institute these changes and hope that you will do your part in covering these and other issues that must be addressed.

Here are my suggestions:

Create government bonds for environmental projects: I believe we should roll back tax cuts, especially since the debt was rather monstrous even before Katrina struck. Have government work together with environmental groups to issue government bonds that would be used specifically for environmentally friendly rebuilding needs. The environmental groups could manage the projects and also try to raise awareness about the bonds for projects like rebuilding the wetlands, wind power, and solar power.

Inventory neglected infrastructures nationwide: We have seen the result of neglect of the levees. What other infrastructures in communities nationwide have been ignored, thus putting others at risk? What can we do to change that? How can these become legislative and funding priorities?

Address land management issues: Protecting the wetlands? Not building below sea level? Where should and shouldn’t we build homes/hotels?

Develop safe, clean energy alternatives: Not only will we reduce our dependence on oil, but we can also reduce greenhouse gases and have energy available when electricity goes out.

I thank you for taking the time to read my suggestions and hope that you will in some way present them to your readers.

— Norah Mason, West Chester, PA

A Real Patriotism

IN MY MIND, patriotism is not a testosterone “OK Corral” concept. Certainly there are times when self-protection and the protection of a nation’s interests require such a response. But it can’t be a knee-jerk response and so we need to rethink how we as citizens of this country define patriotism. These are some of the aspects of patriotism:

• The number of new industries created.

• The number of home-grown Nobel Laureates. We welcome new citizens to the country but the competition we face is how many Laureates we have produced in the 50 states.

• A well-thought-out and consistent foreign policy.

• Leaders in many new scientific fields.

• A well-protected environment.

• A transportation system that meets the needs of our citizens and society as a whole.

Patriotism is not a weapon to be used against political opponents and/or those who disagree with a position a person holds.

— John Kloempken, Algonquin, Ill.

Recommend this page to a friend

Top Ten pages recommended to friends: