I would like to invite anyone to ask a question or to make a comment about poetry on this blog . I hope it will be a serious comment or question . That is the only requirement . I shall check in from time to time to see if anyone had anything to say .
Greenwolfe 1962
Here's my question: Can a poet by a "primitive poet" in the same manner an artist without academic knowledge or training by a "primitive artist?"
ReplyDeleteI asked this question seriously. I am an artist. I draw. I color. I have a academic background in the visual Fine Arts. But by my mid '30s (I am now 70) I found I was traveling an empty road. I wanted a new direction. To find one, I returned to my beginning on the artist's path - to drawing comics, put down random sketches, blur with colors, etc...It worked. I have long found art journaling my main medium of expression.
And words became an important part. First just jotting down memories, re-telling stories, creating new dialogues between old characters, and so on. Working'em into my images, my sketches, intertwining all.
Doing so, I deliberately have not read much poetry, have not studied such, as there has been a reluctance to "know" what "true" poetry is or should be. I am inspired by "primitive art" although I cannot be one. I have had too much experience. But words...?
Yet...yet...I do want to know more. What path to now follow...?
I came across your site via Bassagirl whose blogsite really inspires me. Thank you for any thoughts you might have.
My blogsite is
notches.blogspot.com
Ralph
Dear Ralph :
ReplyDeleteYou are really asking about three questions as I see it . One , having to do with the path you should follow as you continue on . I guess ,
what should be the nature of that path ? Second ,
a question of a general nature about poetry . Something like , can poetry serve me in any way on this path in relation to my artistic creations ? And third , the more specific discussion about "primative art , primative writing , and or primative poetry ." And is there such a thing really called "primative poetry ?"
I'll do them in the reverse order . I have no doubt that poetry in some cases can be certified as being "primative" . But as to who would ever make that judgement with authority , I have a serious doubt that anyone is qualified to do such a thing . As you have described what you do , I see no point in your pursuing any particular form of poetry . Your path is quite alien to normal poetic inspiration . While your sketches and prints may certainly prompt a poem from a poet . Whatever it prompts from you is of greater value , it seems to me . I have been told that everything written that is not poetry is called prose . That being the case . Establish your own particular form of prose . Develope your own effective means of expression in describing what you have portrayed as an artist . Your art may be said to be primative , but the wording of your descriptions would be anything you might call it . Therein lies your path .
At the end you said you wanted to know more . I assume that since you ask this question of a poet that you want to know more of poetry . "Primative" or otherwise . I might also assume by this , that you feel some need or are entertaining the thought of learning more about
poetry that you may incorporate it into your art . Though I have already told you that I find no particular reason for you doing this , It would not be proper for me to leave it at that .
As a rhythm and rhyme poet , I developed a style of my own that places a premium on making the reading of my poems as enjoyable as possible . I would be happy to share my writing "secrets" with
you . And if I can help , I will be glad to . I only suggest that you read a handfull of my poems to get a grasp of what I do . I hope that in some way I was able to address your comment . If not , please try again . This is an open blog
for this purpose . No matter how long it takes , let us work toward the best answer for you . Thank you . All my best .
Greenwolfe 1962