When The Purpose Is Singing Your Song
I seem to be happily stuck in poetry – and questions – mode this week, so it seemed like a good opportunity to highlight some of the work of fellow Scottish blogger, Rachel Fox.
When I was preparing some of the articles for this focus on writing with purpose I came across a wonderful poem of hers that asked the question many of us ask ourselves about writing, poetry, busyness, life.
What is it all for?
The answer reminded me that purpose doesn’t mean a practical, functional purpose – but something much more important.
Like waking someone up, or poking a forgotten fire.
With Rachel’s permission, here’s the poem.
What is it all for?
Words can bring us together
In shattered times
Perfectly tumbling lines
Stroke our heads
Tell us – go on
Just a little further
Others make us laugh out loud
A shocking sound
Witty, cruel, truthful notes
Stir us up
Rock the numbness
Poke the forgotten fire
© Rachel Fox 2005
Rachel has just published a book of poetry called ‘More About The Song’ – reminding me of another writing purpose. Singing our own song.
I’m not going to write a formal review here, just share my own reflections. That this is the kind of poetry that is quiet, simple, truthful.
Poems that remind me of what we can do with language: build bridges, tell stories, wipe away tears, remember a forgotten smile.
There’s nothing pretentious about these poems, and that’s probably why I like them (I’m guessing some of you might too.)
You’ll get a sense for Rachel’s style from the lovely blurb-poem on the back cover. It says:
Exposing
Does a blurb ever lie?
Can it tell what’s inside?
Go on, open me up,
I have nothing to hide
You can buy copies of the book from Rachel’s site CrowdPleasers. What Is It All For? isn’t in the book, but you’ll find it on her site along with lots of other poems.
Good luck with the book Rachel, I’m sure it’ll go down a storm.
“Poke the forgotten fire”… Wow, what a great line; I like that image!
I think that says quite well how I like to write – to remind, to stir up, to poke the forgotten fire of stuff we already know… but maybe we’re not living at the moment.
Thanks for sharing Rachel’s poetry!
“I’m sure it’ll go down a storm.”
I don’t know that expression, but it sounds interesting. Language is a fascinating thing.
If your readers would like a different take on Rachel’s book they can have a look at my more formal review here:
http://jim-murdoch.blogspot.com/2008/06/more-about-song.html
Robert, I loved that image too, and yes, I think it works very well for what you’re doing with your own writing.
Space Age Sage, that is fascinating! Funny how we use words that we assume are universal – I had no idea that one wasn’t common parlance
Jim, thanks for the pointer to your review. It’s very comprehensive – lots of interesting thoughts on poems and collections of poems as well as the book itself
Joanna
You’ve chosen a great poem indeed. The way out of shattered time is the idea that most appeals to me. I’ve been away from poetry for a while, it’s nice to be brought closer once again
Thanks,
Alina
Never mind the ‘forgotten fire’…this was a forgotten poem until you dug it up from the website Joanna so thanks for that. You are the first person to comment on it. I have sent it off places but never had any reaction to it and that’s why I didn’t include it in the book. Now it is appreciated…it is a happy poem at last!
x
Joanna, thanks for pointing us to Rachel’s poem. What a song it sings.
Poke the forgotten fire…
What an inspiring line. At times we need to stoke up the dragon fire within!
Hmmm, I wonder what instrument plays this poem best… What is your thought?
“Words can bring us together in shattered times” – I love that piece of the poem. I think we live in shattered times – all over the world – and to communicate about that via new media, the internet, twitter, is really a means to bring us together.
To answer Robyn…I think this would have to be a poem for big drum accompaniment. When I was last in Edinburgh we wandered up Calton Hill and up at the top there were crowds and crowds of people practising their drums for the Beltane Fire Festival…so there you have it..drums, fire, sun…lots of folk in big boots and tie-dye and no doubt someone selling vegan kebabs…Sounds like (pagan) heaven. Fantastic! Poke away, people, poke away!
Alina, I too go for long spells away from poetry, but have enjoyed diving back in the last few days. Shattered times is a powerful line / thought, isn’t it, though it saddens me that’s how and where we are
Rachel, I’m no critic, I just go with what I like, and I liked this poem! I was looking for something about writing with purpose, and knew I’d find something on your site… with that frame of mind this little one jumped right out at me. As you can see from the reactions, I’m not alone. Perhaps it can go into your next book
Robyn, I love the image too, and thanks for making the connection back to fire breathing writing dragons. You might be interested to take a peek at the wordle version of that post – I’m hoping to share it next week http://wordle.net/gallery/Fire_Breathing_Writing_Dragon
You ask about which instrument would best play the poem – you mean musical instrument? I’m not sure. In my mind it’s the human voice.
It’s someone standing in a small room, maybe a bar, with a fire. It’s late at night, and they’re standing there, talking quietly and everyone in the room goes quiet when they hear the words, and remember.
Although I’ve just read Rachel’s answer, which has made me laugh as it’s a totally different and totally perfect rendition of the same poem!
Ulla, I also believe we can make the world more human and more connected through these fantastic media. It can work for individuals too as we write, share photos, express and share our creativity. I hope we can do it fast enough to heal our shattered times.
Joanna