I’m not a poet!

The aforementioned declaration is being made for two reasons. First, I have primarily focused on writing fiction since 2007 and have not written anything substantial worthwhile in terms of poems. This is counter to the period from 1990 to 1995 when I was in Boston immersed in a scene of intensive creativity and production.

But the second reason is that my work back then was based on metrics, rhythm, sound quality, and a deep study of the classic forms. Prosody is a lost concept. The styles today focus largely on imagery and personal expression. While I am not against that (and never was), the notion of rhythm and the sound of a poem seems to have taken a back seat to a kind of free flowing expression.

In 2018, I was a judge in the Kansas Authors Club’s writing contest. My category: Classical Poetry. I was amazed to read traditional sonnets, curtal sonnets, and forms that I had not heard of but was impressed by. It reminded me briefly there are poets who still believe in and accept forms as a standard for writing.

Granted, some of my work from nearly thirty years ago uses mythological references that may not be readily accessible to most readers. Nevertheless, I focused on word choices in order to create something delectable for the ear. There were just as many times I employed jazz rhythms to create movement within the piece. Occasionally, I wrote experimental pieces based on Dada or Surrealism or creating pictures on the page with the word placement.

Carmina in Latin means “song” and is the basis of the word “charm.” Songs, to the earliest writers, had the power to cast spells. Song lyrics were mystical. I embrace the work of the past and recognize I am out of step with the current trends in poetry. This is the reason I do not pursue it as much. But the magic of words is still firmly within me, their magical powers still resonate. And, yes, I’m still a poet.