Letter to a friend regarding poetry

Author’s note: I wrote this to a fellow writer, poet Ken Nye, who was reflecting on the frustration of nonconstructive criticism, and the occasional inflexibility of others. This letter was a flowing stream of consciousness. Upon re-reading it, I realized it spoke to being true to one’s self in all we do.

It also addressed my perspective on original free verse poetry, my favorite type of writing — the one that gives me the most joy.

I felt this letter was the perfect way to begin my blog.

Bravo Ken!!

You have a brother-in-arms in me my friend. I, like you, am in my 60’s. I understand fully when you say that you know who you are, what you like, and where you are going. Stay the course! I applaud your confidence and conviction.

That is I, by and large. Part of who I am is unquenchable curiosity, so I am always investigating new things. I try those that pass my “personally beneficial” filter because I do know what I like. Where I’m going is further beyond, so I tend to shy away from things that restrain and close me in, or move me backward.

As I said in my prior response to you, besides being a writer/singer/artist, I am a product designer. As a designer I adhere to a universal rule of thumb that I genuinely feel applies in all of life. That rule is FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION.

If the function of your writing is to communicate, to touch people, to use your honest voice to project your true heart — then ONLY you can create the form of your expression. Don’t ever let go of that.

The world of formal poetry has a number of preconceived forms and structural rules. One can lay out the structure of a poem following these preconceived forms & rules, and then assemble words around it, and the result will be a traditional poem — perhaps even an exceptionally good one.

Might that poem be pleasing? Sure. Is it a challenge to create that type of poem? Of course. Might I enjoy reading such a poem? I do, quite often.

However, that type of poem can never be more than a remarkably clever assemblage of words — in my humble opinion. Poetry written with form as the ultimate author, while perhaps achieving an extremely high level of accepted quality — it can never quite reach the sublime. The sublime requires pure originality and the courage to break the mold!

Staying only within the safe bounds of accepted form, in any artistic endeavor, be it writing, music, painting, sculpture, and the like — you can, if you are really good enough, certainly attain the status of master (master technician to be more accurate).

Do I have respect for the great masters that have come before, and the master technicians that exist today? Yes I do. Do I admire what they do? Yes, in the context of what it is. Do they reach way down deep in me and move my soul? NOT QUITE. Only a wholly original experience moves me like that, and I have experienced only a few in my life.

However, one can never achieve the level of original artist if one aspires only to reach the highest level of a traditional form, because actualized original artists, by definition, go beyond form — they break molds.

Are those who aspire to attain the highest level of mastery within a traditional form lacking talent, or drive, or motivation, or skill? Absolutely not. They can enjoy tremendous respect and acceptance. But they can never be truly original.

The Webster’s definition of “original” is: new, fresh, novel, independent, creative. That is what I strive to be, and it sounds as though you do as well. Be bold! Stay the course!

Webster’s definition of “free verse” is: verse that does not follow a fixed metrical pattern or form.

Webster’s definition of “poetry” is: the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, elevated thoughts.

There are many rhythms in the world, not all of them are rigid and staid. Jazz rhythm is very free and improvisational.

So the next time someone wants to know what it is you are writing, tell him or her, “I write original free verse poetry — look it up!” Then just smile. Someone who tells you that you don’t write poetry is saying far more about themselves, than they are about your creative work.

Every great movement that has risen in the arts, which are now not only accepted but also heralded, began with one artist with the vision, inspiration, and bravery to break the mold.

Without the mold breakers, their would be no jazz, no abstract art, no Taliesin architecture, no Beat Period of writing, no John Coltrane, no Salvador Dali, etc. etc. — no sublime expressions of human creativity. For that matter, there would be no United States of America — without the mold breakers.

Most people lack the courage and conviction to believe in themselves enough to follow their true heart — or they do not know themselves well enough. They require more rigid constructs in order to feel safe, to function without fear. But you are fearless, Ken. Please remain so.

Don’t write for those who are constrained by form, if that is not your true voice — write for yourself. That’s creativity. Certainly don’t let anyone invalidate your creativity. They don’t have that right. Continue to break through the constraints. It is only on the other side that you will ever be able to create something truly unique, truly original, truly great.

Stay the course!
…Rob