Deconstructing the Greats
Viewing comments for Chapter -3 "You, Writer"Here I'll share my own versions of famous poems.
14 total reviews
Comment from Begin Again
Wonderful tribute and wonderful thoughts for every writer, poetry or prose, to ponder. Though I must confess, I have enough problems when in the morning, I re-read what I've written the night before and shake my head. Maybe the salt and pepper are shaking too! Laughter at what might have inspired me to write such strange things. Inspiration awaits us everywhere if only we open our eyes and look.
Well done! I am happy that Helen introduces me to you.
Have a great day! Smiles as always, Carol
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2022
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Wonderful tribute and wonderful thoughts for every writer, poetry or prose, to ponder. Though I must confess, I have enough problems when in the morning, I re-read what I've written the night before and shake my head. Maybe the salt and pepper are shaking too! Laughter at what might have inspired me to write such strange things. Inspiration awaits us everywhere if only we open our eyes and look.
Well done! I am happy that Helen introduces me to you.
Have a great day! Smiles as always, Carol
Comment Written 28-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2022
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It?s great to meet you, Carol. Thanks so much for your review.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
I know the feeling of wishing I had been the one who wrote such and such. I get that feeling all of the time when I read others' poetry. This tribute to Billy Collins is great!
I like the way you talk to him in the poem.
I look up to you for all of the studying you do about other poets and I admire your work.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem.
Have a lovely weekend!
Jesse
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2022
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I know the feeling of wishing I had been the one who wrote such and such. I get that feeling all of the time when I read others' poetry. This tribute to Billy Collins is great!
I like the way you talk to him in the poem.
I look up to you for all of the studying you do about other poets and I admire your work.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful poem.
Have a lovely weekend!
Jesse
Comment Written 23-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 24-Oct-2022
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Please, don't look up to me, Jesse. I don't deserve it. I should work a lot harder on my posts. I'm preparing the next chapter now and it's kind of scary because the original poem is one of Emily Dickinson's most famous ones, so whatever I write is going to fall short.
Anyway, I guess we have to try and fail, to be able to learn.
Thanks for reviewing,
Maria
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Yes! Try and fail, try and fail is the only way to really learn. I went from poetry to prose and learned by doing and taking a risk with it. That is the way I try and learn.
I will try not to look up to you but it is going to be hard, Maria!
Jesse
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LOL!
Have a nice evening.
I do look up to you. I wish I was that strong and optimistic.
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Optimism comes from lots of experience. I have hope and that tells a lot about me. We ought to join the admiration club, haha.
Enjoy your evening.
Jesse
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:)
I guess you're right, but it's also a question of character, I think.
My husband is usually more optimistic than I am... at least apparently. I share my feelings more than he does.
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I like that about you.
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:) Thanks.
Comment from Regina Elliott
Hi Heather, I'm so disappointed I don't have 6
stars to award this wondrous
work. I'm a Billy Collins fan
too, I think he is a clever
poet. I have several of his
poetry books. Your writing is
excellent too. You have a
special way with words. I
hope you have a creative
and peaceful autumnal
weekend. Blessings ~
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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Hi Heather, I'm so disappointed I don't have 6
stars to award this wondrous
work. I'm a Billy Collins fan
too, I think he is a clever
poet. I have several of his
poetry books. Your writing is
excellent too. You have a
special way with words. I
hope you have a creative
and peaceful autumnal
weekend. Blessings ~
Comment Written 22-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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Hi Regina,
Your words mean more than the six stars, don't worry. I tend to use all of mine in like two days, so I can relate.
I think Billy Collins is a very special poet and I love to listen to him speak. He's so humble and down-to-earth despite everything he's achieved.
Have a lovely Sunday,
MJ
Comment from lyenochka
That's cute about the salt and pepper shakes! Actually, I always wondered what the toothbrushes are doing overnight. They are different positions in the morning and can't help wondering about their relationship. So glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for sharing about all you're learning as you hone your poetic skills!!
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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That's cute about the salt and pepper shakes! Actually, I always wondered what the toothbrushes are doing overnight. They are different positions in the morning and can't help wondering about their relationship. So glad I'm not the only one! Thanks for sharing about all you're learning as you hone your poetic skills!!
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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Thanks for making me laugh. I'd never thought about the toothbrushes. I'll have to watch them closely from now on. :)
The salt and pepper shakers appear in Collins's poem so I cannot take credit for that.
Thanks so much for your constant support.
Comment from Pearl Edwards
I did enjoy the Billy Collins poem that inspired you Heather, and I equally enjoyed your answer to him, especially the bit about never leaning in doorways. LOL Well done, Heather,hope you are going okay,
cheers,
valda
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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I did enjoy the Billy Collins poem that inspired you Heather, and I equally enjoyed your answer to him, especially the bit about never leaning in doorways. LOL Well done, Heather,hope you are going okay,
cheers,
valda
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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Hi Valda,
I'm glad you enjoyed both poems. You're always very kind.
I'm also glad the bit about doorways made you smile.
Have a lovely Sunday,
MJ
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I enjoyed your intuitive reply, especially the bit about the salt and pepper shakers who stayed together for so many years and probably never said hello, a relationship lost in the silence of this room full of dormant objects, there is humour in both these poems Heather, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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I enjoyed your intuitive reply, especially the bit about the salt and pepper shakers who stayed together for so many years and probably never said hello, a relationship lost in the silence of this room full of dormant objects, there is humour in both these poems Heather, much enjoyed, love Dolly x
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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You're right, Billy Collins's humour is not obvious at first sight, but I love it. And it's the same when he speaks. Even if he looks serious, he says the wittiest things.
Thanks for reading.x
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
What a lovely tribute to a favorite writer. I like the second stanza, where you repeat the last word of your sentence and make it the first word of the next.
It sounds like he had a great influence on the way you write, and the way you think of writing.
It's so nice to have that kind of inspiration, and this poem was so nice to read:-)
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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What a lovely tribute to a favorite writer. I like the second stanza, where you repeat the last word of your sentence and make it the first word of the next.
It sounds like he had a great influence on the way you write, and the way you think of writing.
It's so nice to have that kind of inspiration, and this poem was so nice to read:-)
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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I'm glad you liked the poem, Pam.
I think I like Billy Collins, because he was the first poet whose videos I watched on Masterclass. He's a great teacher and also a very warm individual.
Till then, it was clear to me that I was a prose person, but he made me realise there are many different types of poetry.
Have a lovely day,
MJ
Comment from royowen
Well done Heather, this is a worthy answer to that of Billy Collins. I like poetry that is inspired by the works of others, this site has caused many works by me, not necessarily the same theme, but simply inspires another, well done, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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Well done Heather, this is a worthy answer to that of Billy Collins. I like poetry that is inspired by the works of others, this site has caused many works by me, not necessarily the same theme, but simply inspires another, well done, blessings Roy
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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You're right, as usual, Roy. Sometimes just a word or a line can prompt us to write something else.
I hope you are having a nice day,
MJ
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Well done
Comment from Bill Schott
This poem, You, Writer, which parodies the Billy Collins poem, reminds the readers that inspiration is always right next to you. I recall Ray Bradbury saying his Magicians Toyshop, room filled with odd items, was where he found his Marsian landscape, African veldt, and hometown stories.
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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This poem, You, Writer, which parodies the Billy Collins poem, reminds the readers that inspiration is always right next to you. I recall Ray Bradbury saying his Magicians Toyshop, room filled with odd items, was where he found his Marsian landscape, African veldt, and hometown stories.
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 23-Oct-2022
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Thanks for your review. I'm intrigued. Do you like Ray Bradbury? I cannot say much about him because I've only read Fahrenheit 451, but I didn't like his novel very much. Maybe if I read it again, I'd like it better. Those things happen.
Have a lovely day,
MJ
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That was his first novel, written to achieve the required length to publish. He said many times he would have done it differently if he thought it would have been so popular for so long.
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I didn't know. I used to run a bookclub and many of my students enjoyed the book. Anyway, it's food for thought. Thanks for the info.
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Heather,
I like the theme, "Deconstructing the Greats". But it's surprising there are only 2 reviews so far. I would have thought more poets (especially) would zoom in here. It's never too late to learn something new.
We poets have to be observers first... we've got to see what most people miss, and then relate our own instances to them.
For example, you make stars out of that salt and pepper set. Whoever would think that they had an intimate life. Of course, they don't... but that couple over at a nearby table do. Or, even you and your husband, or me and my wife.
"I'd love to be the one
who thought about
the salt and pepper shakers
and their intimate lives first." ... but you weren't. Billy Collins was. You want to be able to write something as intriguing, something no one else has ever thought. You want to capture the reader. You want to be first, a quality of a great writer.
I love how you start the poem,
"I wonder how you are going to feel
when you find out
that I wrote this instead of you" ... addressing the reader, bringing them in? Even better if you're reaching a writer and reeling them in. But I think you are being even more specific. You are saying, "Hey, Billy!"
Billy Collins got up early, with a purpose, a desire for utterance to someone, relating to just them and no one else.
"the rain-soaked windows,
the ivy wallpaper,
and the goldfish circling in its bowl." ...Most people will miss it.
"unlit candles
and the clock humming on the wall"
and,
"a song on the radio,
a car whistling along the road outside"
and then there's the salt and pepper shakers, and a simile...
"like you and I
who manage to be known and unknown
to each other at the same time"
How can a husband and wife sit at the same table and not talk to each other? Strangers. Perhaps familiarity equals distance. Is it possible to be apart when we're together?
I recall an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond", Season 5/ Episode 15. Ray and Debra are at a fine restaurant, celebrating their wedding anniversary, and they have absolutely nothing to talk about except the bread and consistency of the butter before the main course is served.
Nicely penned! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 21-Oct-2022
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Hi Heather,
I like the theme, "Deconstructing the Greats". But it's surprising there are only 2 reviews so far. I would have thought more poets (especially) would zoom in here. It's never too late to learn something new.
We poets have to be observers first... we've got to see what most people miss, and then relate our own instances to them.
For example, you make stars out of that salt and pepper set. Whoever would think that they had an intimate life. Of course, they don't... but that couple over at a nearby table do. Or, even you and your husband, or me and my wife.
"I'd love to be the one
who thought about
the salt and pepper shakers
and their intimate lives first." ... but you weren't. Billy Collins was. You want to be able to write something as intriguing, something no one else has ever thought. You want to capture the reader. You want to be first, a quality of a great writer.
I love how you start the poem,
"I wonder how you are going to feel
when you find out
that I wrote this instead of you" ... addressing the reader, bringing them in? Even better if you're reaching a writer and reeling them in. But I think you are being even more specific. You are saying, "Hey, Billy!"
Billy Collins got up early, with a purpose, a desire for utterance to someone, relating to just them and no one else.
"the rain-soaked windows,
the ivy wallpaper,
and the goldfish circling in its bowl." ...Most people will miss it.
"unlit candles
and the clock humming on the wall"
and,
"a song on the radio,
a car whistling along the road outside"
and then there's the salt and pepper shakers, and a simile...
"like you and I
who manage to be known and unknown
to each other at the same time"
How can a husband and wife sit at the same table and not talk to each other? Strangers. Perhaps familiarity equals distance. Is it possible to be apart when we're together?
I recall an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond", Season 5/ Episode 15. Ray and Debra are at a fine restaurant, celebrating their wedding anniversary, and they have absolutely nothing to talk about except the bread and consistency of the butter before the main course is served.
Nicely penned! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 21-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 21-Oct-2022
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Wow! Thanks so much for this thorough review. I now understand why Helen speaks so highly of you.
This was a pleasure to read.
Thanks so much for reading.
