Ah, la gaya scienza! ♥ I find so much truth in your poetical essay, @yahialababidi.
In the beginning of this century, Carlos Reis wisely quoted from Gonzalo Torrente Ballester some statements on the novel, which are valid pivot to all literature:
“escrita la novela, es como una partitura sin ejecutante”, añadiendo a continuación «la novela la ejecuta el lector, y la operación de leer consiste en verificar íntimamente el contenido de la palabra, es decir, en repetir mental e imaginativamente el mundo que el novelista ha creado para nosotros».
”Once written, a novel is like a music sheet without a performer,” then adding that “the novel is performed by the reader, and this reading procedure consists in intimately verifying word content; that is to say, silently repeating this contents on our minds and imagining the world that the novelist has created for us.
For me, this is partly what you mean by
It’s the same with artists who use shadow to bring out light
or musicians who lend instruments their breath and limbs,
to summon music from thick air. So, too, with poets
who conjure hidden correspondences with letters
Which is my favorite stanza in this great essay/poem, by the way.
Personally, when I read a poem, I try to imagine what feelings and impressions the poet wanted us to feel; if what I’ve felt at the moment of reading is consistent with what I considered was intended, I say, “Wow, this poem is good,” and I keep it close to my heart for-ever. Sometimes we may forget what we’ve read but what matters in a poem never abandons us, even when we’ve forgotten the exact words, and this is because we’d seen the body of the iceberg. It becomes everlasting. Being part of this communion is what I love about poetry: the corroboration of unity, strong like ice mountains.
Excellent post, @yahialababidi. Thanks for sharing! ♥
what matters in a poem never abandons usWhat a fantastic response, @marlyncabrera! This is a mini-essay in its own right and proof that the reader isn't passive, but active in (re)creating the work of art in their own image. I love this line/insight:
Thanks, again, for your thoughtfulness and sensitivity
_/|\_Thanks, @yahialababidi. You are very welcome, too. Thank YOU :)