James,

Nice poem - is this your first time in the poetry forum? And I wonder if you have an answer for your question:



Much love,
Larry

Thanks...both of the poems I posted are reposts, actually, slightly edited from the first time I posted them years ago.

I am going to answer your question about my question with a question.

Do you think the question needs an answer?

Peace,
James

James,



Yes, even if you think the answer is obvious. Even obvious answers can become complicated once we try writing them down.

Much love,
Larry

I feel pretty strongly that the purpose of any artistic endeavor is to capture a moment in a way that makes it real for the audience, but unique to each individual (including the author/composer/creator). To this end, I find that to try to find (or elucidate) a "true" meaning somewhat defeats the artistic notion.

If I were to say, "I wrote that line to express that I felt like my trauma was less colorful, less valid than the trauma of other survivors" wouldn't I be placing my authorial intent qualitatively above the reaction of those who read the line? Am I not silencing others' (perfectly valid and possibly contradictory) interpretation of that line if I try to suggest that there is a (more or less) correct way to read the poem?

To answer you most directly, I hope that the question(s) offered in the poem prompt(s) readers to consider their own experiences in some interesting, engaging way.

If I can achieve that with words I write, then I feel that I have succeeded.

James,

I think that's the mark of the success of any artistic effort: its ability to engage and interest others, and perhaps to help them see something in themselves.

Much love,
Larry