Certainly one of my most favorite poets is Gary Snyder. He has inspired me for years to write about the natural wilderness, an endeavor that sparks the ecstatic in me. This short poem of his that follows in parenthesis, “How Poetry Comes To Me”, directly inspired me to write the poem that follows further below, “Why Poet”. I had been in discussion with members of a poetry group years ago. We were talking about where and how we find our muse. Holding in mind this poem by Gary, I wrote the first draft of “Why Poet”. I wrote this revision found here for this prompt.
Boulders at night, it stays
Frightened outside the
Range of my campfire
I go to meet it at the
Edge of the light
© Gary Snyder
<=|=>
I like the path unclear
the route unmarked
fond of stumbling in
fumbling through
finding the way that’s mine
seduced by the clue
drawn to the fog
I seek the wonder
it withholds
my ears prick
to the distant sound
that calls
just beyond clarity
it is to this
my soul is pulled
because
down that path
around a curve
over a crest
hidden away
the truth dwells
rob kistner © 2021
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Ah, Rob, I can see why Snyder appeals to you. I like the way your poem works as an exploration of the wilderness, and as an exploration of inspiration. I know that need to crest the next rise – out there in the world and in here at my desk. It’s a lovely poem, and it’s nice to get a sense of your literary ancestry.
Thank you Sarah, very much. Having grown up in the Midwest surroundings of Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana, I did not fully understand my attraction, no, addiction to the power and majestic beauty of young, powerful wilderness. I began to sense it as I traveled the country — but fell headlong joyfully into its grip when fate dictated we move to the Great Pacific Northwest, specifically northwestern Oregon, 31 years ago. It felt like I finally found my home, and my kinda people. I have breathed here, expanded here, truly lived here — and I will hopefully die here, my ashes to be spread at a specific place of life energy I discovered my second year here in this natural paradise.
I am seriously having a hard time deciding which of the two poems I love and relate to more.
-David
David, I feel extremely acknowledged by your comment here — thank you! I find Gary’s ability to deliver me, with his exceptional work, to “place and atmosphere” so mentally stimulating, emotionally satisfying, and humanly enlightening. I feel I have far to extend to ever reach Mr. Snyder. I hope I have time enough to even get close. I have always felt deep, respectful envy of his great fortune of communing with his “beat generation” contemporaries. WOW, that would have been amazing…SIGH…
An excellent extended metaphor for writing poetry, Rob! I think most of us are ‘seduced by the clue’ and ‘drawn to the fog’.
Kim, I feel it is delving into and trying to elucidate the great mystery of humanity that is quite alluring about poetry, as well as the appeal and musicality of word-crafting as a PURE creative pursuit. Poetry and song writing hold a very similar appeal. One generally leans on the mastery of music, while the other leans on the mastery of language. Then there are those special ones who are remarkably proficient at both — like my Joni! 🙂
Oh, why is truth hidden away so sight. I do wish things were clearer nowadays.
Misky, I fear the time has past when respect for the truth was commonly held by most. You can thank the internet for the proliferation of false facts and failed fidelity. The trivial is must easier to access, but truth has become soft, grey, and wilted.
You’ve chosen a poet I can see contained in your love of nature. A fitting inspiration for your own wonder-seeking.
I wish Gary was my good friend Kerfe! I so admire his vision and embrace of the world, as so eloquently expressed in his brilliant work. He would have loved my adoptive father, the man to whom I owe my sanity.
The truth… What is the truth?
Nice one
You’ve got to go in search for it. If you are truly aware and awake, will recognize it when you find it.
Yup,” the truth has grown soft, gray, and wilted.” Add to that the illusive quality of our own personal “truth”, and the path through the morass, the fog, is even more difficult to follow. Even the Retrumplicans believe in their false, alternate truth. And you’re bang on that the internet has allowed the proliferation of separate realities, lies and conspiracy theories. I love Snyder too. He was 100 times the poet that Kerouac was.
We certainly align on all points here Glenn. Jack was the personality — Gary is the craftsman. As for the retrumplicans — they remain fools.
I think the poet’s task is definitely to uncover that hidden truth, and I love how you describe the search for it, which itself rings with poetic truth! I like the Snyder poem too, for some reason it made me think of Meatloaf, which made me smile!
Thank you Ingrid — and I won’t ask… 🙂
A most wonderful extended metaphor, Rob! I love; “seduced by the clue drawn to the fog I seek the wonder it withholds.” 🙂
Thank you Sanaa… 🙂
Of the two, I relate more to your poem, Rob which is less tied to a physical place I don’t know and more to a feeling I can understand. It’s a good one.
Thank you Jane. I relate to both because I know well a campfire in the wilderness — thanks initially to my father.
sounds like you’ve really found your ‘sacred space’ Rob, in both poetry and your location! That space allows growth, exploration and from that arises the adoration so evident in your poetry …
I am fortunate to have been fated here Kate… 🙂
You have captured the heart of the poet Rob. Thank you for sharing your response as well as the poem by Gary Synder. Happy new year!
You are most welcome Grace!
Oh the allure of words, the fine art of verse, and all that is waiting to be said and discovered! Enjoyed this response, Rob and thanks for the introduction to Gary Snyder.
Thank you Dora, and you’re welcome. 🙂
A Classic close, Rob, I can relate to this as I’m sure every poet can.
Thank you MD. It reflects my approach to writing poetry, pleased you agree.
I like that uneven pathway you walk as it gets you to where you need to go. I agree with Snyder, it comes from the dark and waits for you to meet it at the edge of light. Beautiful conversation between you two.
Thank you Lisa! I love Gary Snyder, the man writes my soul, in his way.