Poetry: March 28, 2007 Issue [#1628]
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Poetry


 This week:
  Edited by: terryjroo
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

In the "Poetry Newsletter (January 3, 2007)Open in new Window. I threw this out in the Ask and Answer section:

Send in a comment telling me your favorite poet and tell me why they’re your favorite. If you inspire me enough to write a newsletter about your choice, I’ll send you a Merit Badge.

I received several responses, which I posted in the "Poetry Newsletter (January 31, 2007)Open in new Window.. One of the responses struck my fancy, and I’m using that response to segue into this newsletter. So, please, read on!



Robert Waltz Author Icon wrote: “Great newsletter, Terry! Well researched. You asked for a favorite poet? Leonard Cohen (only because Bruce Springsteen is technically a lyricist and not a poet). Cohen is also known as a singer-songwriter, but his lyrics use the conventions of poetry more than songwriting. I call his works my favorite because they deal with life on a level that is both spiritual and mundane at the same time, and his personal struggles take on epic qualities when translated into poetry.

The rain falls down on last year's man,
that's a Jew's harp on the table,
that's a crayon in his hand.
And the corners of the blueprint are ruined since they rolled
far past the stems of thumbtacks
that still throw shadows on the wood.
And the skylight is like skin for a drum I'll never mend
and all the rain falls down amen
on the works of last year's man.”

Last Year’s Man

Copyright © 1971 Leonard Cohen
and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada Company


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

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Lyrics as Poetry



Do lyrics qualify as poetry? Are lyricists also poets? Many people believe that they are, indeed, poets and that their songs are a form of poetry in many cases. I am one of those people, and I took an opportunity to ask Robert Waltz Author Icon his thoughts on the subject.

Me: So, can I do sort of a mock interview with you to put in the newsletter?

RW: You would mock ME??!*Shock*

Me: Only to your face, of course!!

RW: Now Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She is wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey
On our lady of the harbour
And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror


Me: Is that from a song of Leonard's?

RW: Yes, probably one of his most famous. "Suzanne"

Me: What do you think he is trying to say in that passage?

RW: I suck at interpreting poetry. I just like the imagery. But here's an interesting article about the song/poem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_%28Leonard_Cohen_song%29

Me: Okay, I’ll read it along with the readers on Wednesday! lol Do you think that lyricists are poets?

RW: This isn't a mock interview anymore. Yes, I think that the greatest lyricists are poets. Bruce Springsteen, of course. Tom Waits. Bob Dylan. Dar Williams. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows. And of course Cohen. You can have a perfectly-structured song - whatever that is - and if the lyrics are ultimately meaningless, all you have is a catchy tune. But lyrics can transform a song into a living poem.

Me: I agree with you 100%! Of course, people like Brittney Spears don’t fall into the same category as the greatest lyricists, but that goes without saying. A book I have calls the era we’re in (from 1989 - present) the Global Era and lists poets like L.L. Kool J and Ron Silliman as notables. No mention of Cohen. *Frown*

RW: Well, Cohen's bright spot was late 60s and 70s.

Me: Unfortunately he’s not mentioned in Postmodern, either. *Wink* Of course, that was an era with so many greats, I’m sure that many other books do mention him. He does have a great website, which you directed me to earlier, not knowing I was already there: http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/ It’s filled with interesting information, especially the Blackening Pages which are from Cohen’s private collection.

RW: I was first introduced to his poetry at 16, and it warped me quite nicely.

Me: Well, I want to thank you for introducing him to me and to our readers. I hope that they will take some time to explore his site as well.

The next time you listen to the radio (Do people still do that?) or a CD or your MP3 player, pay attention to the song’s words, while determining if it’s danceable or not. You may just be surprised at what lies beneath the music. It’s not likely to be Shakespeare, but it may very well be more poetic than some of the poetry you’ve read.

Let your love of poetry shine!
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Editor's Picks

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Some lyrics:

 The Promise of Tomorrow Open in new Window. (E)
a wedding song, perhaps
#953082 by Fyn Author IconMail Icon

 Voodoo Queen of New Orleans Open in new Window. (13+)
To this day Marie is known as the Voodoo Queen.
#1230867 by Dennis Cardiff Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1183158 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1179583 by Not Available.


From last month’s newsletter – The participants who completed the "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.!!! The challenge started with thirty three and these six finished! Stop by and see what they did for the last three weeks!! *Bigsmile*

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1225099 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1225255 by Not Available.

 Flipsideofevil's 21 days of Poetry Open in new Window. (E)
My poems for the 21 days of poetry.
#1225399 by Flipsideofevil Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1225598 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1225619 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1226316 by Not Available.


Some other outstanding poetry from around the site:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1223655 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1090153 by Not Available.

A Conversation With a Past Me Open in new Window. (13+)
Ever wondered if your writing was influenced by a past life?
#1184300 by Turkey DrumStik Author IconMail Icon


** Image ID #1129387 Unavailable **


 
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Lou-Here By His Grace Author IconMail Icon says: “Sounds like an awesome challenge.

I don't know about a 'How to Write Poetry' book, but I use shadowpoetry.com when I want to try a different style poetry. It doesn't change the words or feelings inside me, but taylors them to a certain format.”

darkin says: “I really liked this newsletter...and the contest sounds neat! Great job, Ter!!!”

SHERRI GIBSON Author IconMail Icon says: “A great newsletter, Terry, as well as a great poetry challenge!
Love ya,
Sherri”

Thanks for the lovely comments! "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. was a success and I will be doing another one towards the end of summer. Look for the announcement in my July newsletter for August!

Question of the month: What’s your favorite poetry form and why?

Next week’s editor is Sophurky Author Icon!

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