This poem first appeared on Substack in October 2023 when Paul's Substack had only 32 subscribers. I think it's worth posting again for those who've never had to opportunity of reading it.
You are very welcome, Paul. I have read this numerous times. Now, each time, the vista changes and I find a new and different meaning—would I rather be the beginning, middle or ending—will your words seep into my own dreams becoming something new? How wonderful that I can sit with a poem and create new unintended treasures that only I can see. After all, it is the beauty of great writing, always searching for another hidden treasure.
Thank you for this comment, Lor. I have always felt that each reader brings an entire world along with them, that they are able to see and feel things that I am not even aware of. My goal in writing is not that a reader sees the world the way I do, but that they recognize some part of themselves in what I write. I judge that to be a sign that makes writing worthwhile for the reader and for me. Thank you again! 🙏😊
As you know, I agree. Truly, it surprises me how many readers miss that opportunity or I should say, the possibilities of ‘free interpretation’. Maybe that’s just one reason many people do not pick up a novel, or have a disdain for poetry instead of a reverence for. Unfortunately, I know quite a few.
Reading is an intimate experience, and I've always been more interested in people deciding for themselves what something means to them, than telling them this is how they should think about it. At the very least, I'd like them to be able to discover something that makes the experience worthwhile.
This is terrific: Writing is "redemption, salvation and reprieve". Especially in my career as an author where a whole thread for many years has been writing about the Second Generation, children of Holocaust survivors. It led to many things including keynoting international conferences and the surprise of being invited to do several book tours in Germany where, another surprise, I not just felt comfortable, but made many friends and enjoyed myself both as a visiting artist and as a tourist. A writer friend told me when I started my publishing career that being a visiting author in Germany was unique after how he'd been treated in the US and he was right. My hosts everywhere were so warm and helpful and audiences were totally tuned in. And in bookstores, they did not run cash registers doing an event. :-)
It deserves more readers, Paul, even if the meaning is not in their eyes :)
"What is written comes from somewhere else." I often wonder about that somewhere else, which we tap into, each in our own way...
The process of writing feels like opening a little doorway into that place, and out comes...... whatever is waiting to emerge. Sometimes though, it feels as if the pressure differential is reversed, and opening that doorway might just suck me right out of this world....
It is okay to be “sucked out of this world” sometimes, so long as we can find our way back. Sometimes we’ll be able to talk about it, maybe even write a poem. And sometimes we’ll just remain silent.
Thanks for sharing this, @Teresa Gonzales, on this second time around!
Thanks to @Lor for this restack!
You are very welcome, Paul. I have read this numerous times. Now, each time, the vista changes and I find a new and different meaning—would I rather be the beginning, middle or ending—will your words seep into my own dreams becoming something new? How wonderful that I can sit with a poem and create new unintended treasures that only I can see. After all, it is the beauty of great writing, always searching for another hidden treasure.
Thank you for this comment, Lor. I have always felt that each reader brings an entire world along with them, that they are able to see and feel things that I am not even aware of. My goal in writing is not that a reader sees the world the way I do, but that they recognize some part of themselves in what I write. I judge that to be a sign that makes writing worthwhile for the reader and for me. Thank you again! 🙏😊
As you know, I agree. Truly, it surprises me how many readers miss that opportunity or I should say, the possibilities of ‘free interpretation’. Maybe that’s just one reason many people do not pick up a novel, or have a disdain for poetry instead of a reverence for. Unfortunately, I know quite a few.
Reading is an intimate experience, and I've always been more interested in people deciding for themselves what something means to them, than telling them this is how they should think about it. At the very least, I'd like them to be able to discover something that makes the experience worthwhile.
Thank you, Diane, and @Blue Citizen 77 for this restack 💙💙
Thanks to @Blue Citizen 77 and Diane for this restack, 💙💙
Thanks to @Connie J. Casella for this restack!
This is terrific: Writing is "redemption, salvation and reprieve". Especially in my career as an author where a whole thread for many years has been writing about the Second Generation, children of Holocaust survivors. It led to many things including keynoting international conferences and the surprise of being invited to do several book tours in Germany where, another surprise, I not just felt comfortable, but made many friends and enjoyed myself both as a visiting artist and as a tourist. A writer friend told me when I started my publishing career that being a visiting author in Germany was unique after how he'd been treated in the US and he was right. My hosts everywhere were so warm and helpful and audiences were totally tuned in. And in bookstores, they did not run cash registers doing an event. :-)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Lev.
It’s true, the reader often has to tell the writer what his words mean.
I love readers who do, Stan!
“I bury the bones of old dreams under the willow and pray for rain.
Writing is distraction, redemption, salvation and reprieve.”
I’ve never played chess but I love this poem. 🩵🩵
Thank you, Grace 🩵🩵
this poem reminds me of a new way to play chess and checkers that i created.
but did i really create something of intrigue and depth -
or was it created for me in my mind?
timing is everything so they say -
but who are they
those ideas floating somewhere in my consciousness
that will someday come together and become a reality - who are they?
Perhaps they are us, today, tomorrow or in some future we yet cannot see.!Thank you Richard
Thank you for sharing always from the very best heart!💜
Thank you, Jamesina 🙏😊
'If I knew where poetry came from I would go there' Michael Longley
Thank you, Siodhna. I’d like to live there.
I remember this poem🌊
I’m glad, Teresa! 😊
At the center as worlds circle around, just out of reach, even understanding.
The poignancy of this leaves me silent.
Thank you, dear Patris.
Thanks for reposting this one, Paul! It's lovely
Thank you, 🙏😊
It deserves more readers, Paul, even if the meaning is not in their eyes :)
"What is written comes from somewhere else." I often wonder about that somewhere else, which we tap into, each in our own way...
The process of writing feels like opening a little doorway into that place, and out comes...... whatever is waiting to emerge. Sometimes though, it feels as if the pressure differential is reversed, and opening that doorway might just suck me right out of this world....
Best wishes
Dave
It is okay to be “sucked out of this world” sometimes, so long as we can find our way back. Sometimes we’ll be able to talk about it, maybe even write a poem. And sometimes we’ll just remain silent.
Thank you, David.
Perfectly presented and easily understood. Thank you for re-posting.
Thank you, Patricia, for reading and commenting!