Today's poet

[Mossdog]

They come and go
we all get some kind
We run through most
without too much thought
We know they will usually
come to nought
but occasionally
and if your unlucky
frequently
We pick up an injury
that you know
you have to treat seriously

Frustrating and worrying they can be
as we never really can be sure
how long they will be
with us and stopping us
from taking part in
what has become our routine
our daily life of which
running plays an integral part

And as we get older
we begin to realise
maybe we aren't
so indestructible
as once we swore we were

Very poignant Rev. I hope your inspiration isn't from some current serious injury though. If it is - I hope you'll recover very soon. And remember, while age may sometimes make us more susceptible to a kicking physically, at least 'spiritually' we have the chance to remain indomitable, as without that we wouldn't be the daft bu**ers we are - enjoying and wanting to run up hills!

[TheReverand]

im glad people dont seem to think my ramblings are so bad, I dont really provess to be any kind of wordsmith haha and anything i write is done in 1min without thought, just whats in my head at that moment mossdog ye im currently injured but not so serious thanks, keep the poems coming folks

[Mossdog]

When it comes to posting poetry written by others, I have this problem, which is that a lot of what I find myself reading does not conform to the kind of poetry usually posted on here, mostly because of subject, sometimes because of form. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the poems posted on here, because I do.

Most of the poems I post I have trawled the web for, and this is a time consuming and often fruitless process. So what I've decided is that I'm going to post a few from what I'm reading at the time, and take the chance you will like them, just because it makes it easier for me to find poems to post!

Ok so here goes with one from Tobias Hill. Don't know if you're familiar with his work but he writes poems and also novels. His novels I find wrist slittingly tedious, but the poems are quite accessible and he has some interesting ideas and turns of phrase even if at the end you go "yes, and?"

This is from his book Zoo, writtten during his time as poet in residence at London Zoo. I like the sense of ambience the poem gives. The first line reminds me as much of being in the in the fells as it does being in London.

And the sky wet as a loose tarpaulin.
I'm walking but not home.

I'm taking the air. It tastes
sweet, like rust. The tide is out

and the mud is thick as meat
over the inner city's chalk.

Here are the broken fingerbones
of clay pipes. Traffic cones. The imprint

of my own feet, walking back.
Here is a seed stained black.

Live as a fist, but all I want
is somewhere to sit down a minute,

tomorrow's newspaper (the pages
hot with fish and vinegar)

and the watermark of London sky
green as old money all over the river.

Drunk Autumn Midnight below Victoria Embankment / Tobias Hill

I'm glad you've decided to post the poetry you enjoy Stevie, and not worry about whether it's in line with what you consider might be other's tastes. I think we're a pretty broad church on this thread - one of it's strengths. I for one, like to have exposure to a wide range of poems, and your post of Tobias Hill proves the point. Never heard of him before; but what an amazing poem. For me, a 'good' poem is one that resonates with me viscerally; conjures up images, feelings and resonances. I'm always amazed and delighted how a simple string of words, a turn of phrase, can so immediately achieve that. Take that opening phrase for example "And the sky wet as a loose tarpaulin", I've never heard that metaphor before but WAM! I know instantly what he means - and yes suddenly a new experiential dimension opens up for me. Isn't it fabulous how some poetry can so that to you? So, keep posting whatever you personally like (and some more Tobias Hill please )

[Mossdog]

dying is fine)but Death

by e.e. cummings


dying is fine)but Death

?o
baby
i

wouldn't like

Death if Death
were
good:for

when(instead of stopping to think)you

begin to feel of it,dying
's miraculous
why?be

cause dying is

perfectly natural;perfectly
putting
it mildly lively(but

Death

is strictly
scientific
& artificial &

evil & legal)

we thank thee
god
almighty for dying
(forgive us,o life!the sin of Death

I know, i know. I'm posting way too much ee cummings at the moment. But somehow it's chiming with my mood right now. Wayward, ostensibly discordant, highly fractured, but somehow with a raw veracity and ever so succinct tangibility that is...er....just so very very arrrrrrrgh!

[freckle]

This thread seems particularly alive and contemplative at the moment, a nice juxtaposition! I have ejnoted the cummings choices mossy...

I am off today and should really be running but am a bit bunged up with hayfever so for now I am enjoying a bit of peace and quiet...

KEEPING QUIET

Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
For once on the face of the earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fisherman in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victory with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves alive.

Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Pablo Neruda.

ps i echo both hes and mossys sentiments about the thread, i think one of its strengths is that people are introduced to new poets on many different themes, so post away stevie!

[Stevie]

Glad you liked the Tobias Hill poem. I will post more soon. In the meantime I have enjoyed reading the EE Cummings and Pablo Neruda poems. I have actually bought books by both of them on the strength of what I read on here. Obviously the poetry forum is good for introducing poets to new audiences! Just a quiet moment at work. Must get on now...

[freckle]

remember the moon phase?

here is another one from e e cummings which is just sublime!

who knows if the moon's... (VII)
by E. E. Cummings

who knows if the moon's
a balloon,coming out of a keen city
in the sky--filled with pretty people?
(and if you and i should

get into it,if they
should take me and take you into their balloon,
why then
we'd go up higher with all the pretty people

than houses and steeples and clouds:
go sailing
away and away sailing into a keen
city which nobody's ever visited,where

always
it's
Spring)and everyone's
in love and flowers pick themselves

[stevefoster]

Forward, only forward
Backwards don't work
And sideways ain't much better

[freckle]

Forward, only forward
Backwards don't work
And sideways ain't much better

wise words steve x

[Hes]

I've been trying hard to find a poem that suits my mood tonight and haven't managed it! I'll have to write one...if only!!!