Poetry Discussion Thread

[tobbogonist]

www.creative-poems.com

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by uni57

Also, the ending line of the poem doesn't make sense.

Simple, repetitious, and powerful.

I think that line should be deleted from the poem.

You crazy old man.

I agree with Matt...there isn't much poetry that moves me....music has a much bigger effect on me.

[uni57]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

You crazy old man.

WHAT???

CRAZY OLD MAN?????!!!!!

I'm not OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1


For stunningly great lyrics, listen to Rush. They are my all-time favorite band.

[James_Potter]

My favorite lyrics are by the Doors...well, Jim Morrison, I guess. Who was a poet as well, which is how this is relevant.

[uni57]

Neal Peart (Rush lyricist) is not a poet, as far as I know. But given the close relationship between poetry and lyrics, I think any discussion of lyrics is on topic here. Can we say that song lyrics are "poetry for the masses"? But that's not fair to the really great lyricists.

Rush lyrics have moved me to tears. I can't really connect with the Doors lyrics, but then again I'm not a 21st century hippie. Nor have I closely paid attention to them.

[Ducttape]

Originally Posted by uni57

Neal Peart (Rush lyricist) is not a poet, as far as I know. But given the close relationship between poetry and lyrics, I think any discussion of lyrics is on topic here. Can we say that song lyrics are "poetry for the masses"? But that's not fair to the really great lyricists.

Rush lyrics have moved me to tears. I can't really connect with the Doors lyrics, but then again I'm not a 21st century hippie. Nor have I closely paid attention to them.

Rush lyric s are amazing I also like The Doors though, tough choice....

[dudewithasock]

Lyrics = poetry?

This is a veritable ballad, then.
NSFW

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by uni57

But that's not fair to the really great lyricists.

Sure it is. Isn't one of the trademarks of good poetry supposed to be that people can identify with it? If the poem doesn't open up a window for you into what the artist was thinking, or feeling, or doing, then it hasn't fulfilled its purpose.

Some of the stuff may be corny, but I really like a lot of Guns 'N' Roses' lyrics.

And don't forget Kansas....

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see

[uni57]

Originally Posted by dudewithasock

Lyrics = poetry?

This is a veritable ballad, then.
NSFW

LOL, I didn't get all the way through (not far past the F word and the N word).

But yes, I believe good lyrics can be poetry. Good lyrics can stand by themselves, without the music. Try this one about teen suicide...

The Pass, by Rush

It does lose a little without the music. It's clear from the music that the suicide takes place right before the last verse. It's actually quite moving when you hear the music.

Here's a bunch more if you are interested in poking around...

Everyday Glory, by Rush

Nobody's Hero, by Rush

Time Stand Still, by Rush

Mission, by Rush

And some various snippets...

"One glow of hope and dignity
A child can follow the light"

"Hero -- is the voice of reason
Against the howling mob
Hero -- is the pride of purpose
In the unrewarding job"

"Days connect like boxcars in a train
Fill them up with precious cargo
Squeeze in all that you can find"

"Features distorted in the flickering light,
Faces are twisted and grotesque.
Silent and stern in the sweltering night,
The mob moves like demons possesed"

"The office door closed early
The hidden bottle came out
The salesman turned to close the blinds
A little slow now, a little stout
[...]
Another day as drab as today
Is more than a man can endure"

"I let my past go too fast
No time to pause --
If I could slow it all down
Like some captain,
Whose ship runs aground --
I can wait until the tide
Comes around"

"I hear their passionate music
Read the words
That touch my heart
I gaze at their feverish pictures
The secrets that set them apart
When I feel the powerful visions
Their fire has made alive
I wish I had that instinct --
I wish I had that drive"

[dudewithasock]

I used Lightning Crashes by Live once for a school poetry analysis project:

Lightning crashes, a new mother cries
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door

Lightning crashes, an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now, to the baby down the hall

Oh now feel it comin back again
Like a rollin thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin from the center of the earth again
I can feel it.

Lightning crashes, a new mother cries
This moment shes been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris, presents the circle
And puts the glory out to hide, hide

And then there's of course the good ol' Bloodhound Gang:

Sweat baby sweat baby sex is a texas drought
Me and you do the kind of stuff that only prince would sing about
So put your hands down my pants and Ill bet youll feel nuts
Yes Im siskel, yes Im ebert and youre getting two thumbs up
Youve had enough of two-hand touch you want it rough youre out of bounds
I want you smothered want you covered like my waffle house hashbrowns
Come quicker than fedex never reach an apex like coca-cola stock you are
Inclined
To make me rise an hour early just like daylight savings time

Do it now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Do it again now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Gettin horny now

Love the kind you clean up with a mop and bucket
Like the lost catacombs of egypt only God knows where we stuck it
Hieroglyphics? let me be specific I wanna be down in your south seas
But I got this notion that the motion of your ocean means small craft advisory
So if I capsize on your thighs high tide, b5 you sunk my battleship
Please turn me on Im mister coffee with an automatic drip
So show me yours Ill show you mine tool time youll lovett just like lyle
And then well do it doggy style so we can both watch x-files

Do it now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Do it again now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Gettin horny now

You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Do it again now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Do it now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Do it again now
You and me baby aint nothin but mammals
So lets do it like they do on the discovery channel
Gettin horny now

[uni57]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Isn't one of the trademarks of good poetry supposed to be that people can identify with it? If the poem doesn't open up a window for you into what the artist was thinking, or feeling, or doing, then it hasn't fulfilled its purpose.

Absolutely. 100%

I was thinking about dumbed-down, throw-away lyrics.

And by "good" lyrics, I meant ones that not only make you think, but require you to think. Require you to make an effort. To participate. (which is not a description of anything "for the masses")

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by uni57

And by "good" lyrics, I meant ones that not only make you think, but require you to think. Require you to make an effort. To participate. (which is not a description of anything "for the masses")

Dave, my good man, you wouldn't be suggesting that the "masses" are uneducated, would you?

[uni57]

Originally Posted by dudewithasock

I used Lightning Crashes by Live once for a school poetry analysis project

Here's a video of that song.

If you told me that was poetry (and not lyrics) I would have believed you. And like all good poetry, I don't totally understand it.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Sure it is. Isn't one of the trademarks of good poetry supposed to be that people can identify with it? If the poem doesn't open up a window for you into what the artist was thinking, or feeling, or doing, then it hasn't fulfilled its purpose.

For *you* it may not "fulfill its purpose", but for someone else it may be an epiphany! You can't expect *everyone* to identify with *everything* a poet writes. Remember that poetry is an individual's personal thoughts, so not everyone can or even should relate to what that particular poet was conveying. It's all so very subjective. I don't "identify" with many things I watch on TV, on the Movie screen or whatever, but I can still be highly entertained regardless.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by MuniAddict

For *you* it may not "fulfill its purpose", but for someone else it may be an epiphany! You can't expect *everyone* to identify with *everything* a poet writes. Remember that poetry is an individual's personal thoughts, so not everyone can or even should relate to what that particular poet was conveying. It's all so very subjective.

I disagree. I think poetry, along with all the other fine arts, are just another method of expression, and communication. Some artists say that their inspiration is sudden, and comparable to a sudden outpouring of emotion, but I think that outpouring is to other people. Understanding music isn't just listening to the pretty sounds (though it can be enjoyed that way)...it's empathizing with the writer, and feeling what he/she was feeling during the writing, or felt due to the inspiration. Listen to Mars, the Bringer of War by Holst, and you'll understand what I mean. That piece is powerful.

I think the same thing can be applied to poetry. Whether you personally can relate to what an author is describing is irrelevant...but if you can understand what the author is trying to convey, then the poem has been successful.