Poets, writers, artists have a three-fold purpose as I see it:
1) the task of witnessing. 2) the task of writing it down or rendering it in some creative way. 3) sharing what they’ve written or created as a result of witnessing. They’ve then come full circle with their particular art.
Within it, poetry has the imperative to share a message. That message is intended to be evocative. To awaken in the reader some of the same emotions that the witness/writer has experienced in putting pen to page. A writer or painter can never be guaranteed that her audience is going to feel the exact same emotion.” They can’t be attached to the outcome or response to their piece once it is released. Fly away little bird. But they must release it and allow it to affect and influence whoever it might, however it may.
Poets write about anything. Poetry can express everything. It is rare that the reader is privy to what precisely preceded the poet writing a particular poem.
I painted a piece with fish as the theme. I don’t remember why I chose to paint these fish. As I stood back from it and studied it, I felt tranquility. It was exploratory. But it didn’t have pop! Not enough value contrast. Or cohesion. It prompted this poem, regardless.
A Quiet Wonder
© by Christine O’BrienUnderwater Kingdoms
Civilizations that we can’t comprehend
the sheen of scales
glint of colors
that stun in light’s glory
the silver trails through
unimaginable depths
the flash of a tail–
fish or mermaid
who is to say
for certain things
happen in depths
where humans
dare not go
we can’t all be Cousteau
though at times
if you’re at all
contemplative
you dive deep
into the dark waters
into what you’ve not known
beyond fears that taunt
and perhaps discover
another side
a way through
a quiet wonder
If this poem causes the reader to pause and contemplate something beyond their norm, then it has succeeded.
