Dear Mike. I suppose once a poem leaves the writer then it is left to the
reader to make of it what they will. Of course this will depend on the type
of expectations the reader has and all the life experiences he or she has
encountered. When you say it is only a poem and it doesn't have to be true.
I agree but on saying this the reader of the poem may be searching for some
kind of truth something that they can identify with. May be a lot of people
will relate to your explanantion. I am glad you explained this to me. I
think you may be right when you say we continually misunderstand each other
and I do find this very sad. I would still always hope for a utopia though.
A place where everyone lived in harmony. Thanks Sally J
>From: Mike Horwood <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Pennine Poetry Works <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re. That imperfect contact - Sally
>Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 13:24:46 +0200
>
>Hello Sally,
> Thanks for your comments on the poem and the poetics,
>both. Itīs interesting the way you have read phrases like `lived in vainī
>and ėmperfect contactī. Or at least, the way I feel you must have read
>them, from what you say. You mentioned that you looked for a more positive
>reading, some proof that we have not lived in vain. My own thoughts in
>composing the line was more that living in vain or not is irrelevant. It is
>even unclear what the standards are by which we would make such a
>judgement. Money, family, career, creativity, a `goodī life, love? The list
>could be almost endless. And at the end of the day, or the life, it doesnīt
>really matter. At the end of the day, the poem suggests, it is our
>relationships with other people that define us. That contact, the poem
>suggests, is inevitably imperfect. We continually misunderstand each other,
>but itīs all weīve got. Does all this sound a bit bleak? I personally donīt
>find it so, but some might. Thereīs also the question, which you raised, is
>it actually true? Do I really believe this myself? I donīt know. And I
>donīt think it matters. Hereīs one view of that whole question:
>
> Three Lines
>
> Itīs just a poem,
> it doesnīt have to be true.
>
>
>Best wishes, Mike
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