Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
I shared a couple of poetry postcards two weeks ago, and here’s another one. This one’s from Jone MacCulloch, who organized the whole exchange to begin with!
I love the simplicity of this image and poem. And how I can read it several ways. As I had it sitting out prominently, the way I read it changed according to the whim of my moods (and whether I had just been outside or not). Since the reader gets to determine 50% of the meaning of a poem, I’m considering them all correct. Though it’s entirely possible none of them was exactly what Jone was thinking as she wrote it.
- On the first day of the year, everything is possible
- Nature holds the key to what we should focus on
- Forget “should” and enjoy “is”
- We can never live up to that first day of anything, when all our expectations have yet to be met (or disappointed)
- Fresh starts are beautiful
- Really look at this leaf
And for lots of wonderful poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Katie at The Logonauts.
I love the idea that the reader interprets 50% of the meaning of a poem. Thanks for sharing your different interpretations of this lovely poem and image. There’s always more to discover, isn’t there?
These are nice interpretations, Laura! I would argue that the reader has 100% of the power to interpret a poem… as a writer, I give that power away the moment I put it in someone else’s hands… and as a reader, I want no one else’s intrusion, I want it to apply to ME ME ME –whatever it is to the reader, is what it is! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. xo
Oh, interesting. I agree that a reader has 100% of the power to interpret how a poem affects that reader and makes the reader feel. But I would not argue the reader has 100% control over the meaning of the poem as a literary…thing. If it’s 100% the reader, then the writer’s words don’t even matter. I think it’s half and half. Though I totally agree–as a reader, I always tie a poem into my OWN life! [That’s my 50% :>)]
I had poetry postcards from BOTH Jone and Irene tumble through my mail slot this morning!
Beautiful postcard haiku! I love how you saw different meanings each time you read the haiku. Part of the reason I like poetry is the way it changes when I read it in a different place, a different time. To me, poetry is “living text.” I think Irene’s comment about the reader’s power to interpret a poem says it all, and this is especially important for teachers to remember.
I received Jone’s postcard too. And also your Juicy January sweetness haiku. I shared the poems I received and wrote about the inspiration and joy they brought to me in today’s post.
Oh yes, the reader does create meaning, often beyond what the writer may have intended. I love it when my readers make my writing seem smarter or more thoughtful than what I first realized!
I am all for that!
Your interpretations are the exact reasons why I don’t like multiple choice question for poetry. It is all in the reader’s interpretations! I have enjoyed reading your thoughts and everyone’s posts on the postcard exchange.
So true. I hate “What did the author intend…” and “Why did the author choose…” questions. Impossible!
I think poems hold up mirrors, and we see ourselves there, with all our moles, wrinkles, frowns and smiles. I found a lot of meaning in that leaf, too.
Love the simplicity of poem and image as well, Laura!
What Leigh Anne said, because poetry’s delight is in the the freedom to interpret and imagine.
I’m glad I’m late to your post, Laura, love the back and forth of the conversation! I enjoyed reading your thoughts about Jone’s postcard and picture. I received it too, and have it hanging by my desk. To me it meant to focus on the few resolutions that are most meaningful, hence “only” on a leaf.Thanks for more!
Yes! Love that interpretation. That resonates with me, too:>)
Great post, Laura! I enjoyed your interpretations, and the fact that you go with different ones depending on what you need at the moment. Sometimes movies have ambiguity (like Inception) and the audience gets to add their own meaning, although I am thinking maybe with movies and books, the authors/directors are thought more to be the last word. Think so?
I think everyone usually thinks the author or director is the last word. Not that that’s always a good thing. Sometimes you say things through your work that you don’t intend to say. I often don’t see something in my own work until several readers point it out. And then I can embrace it, too! But, you know, if someone said to me that The Wizard of Oz is all about how much we need math skills in our everyday life, I would have to disagree. I don’t think that’s an interpretation that could be supported in any coherent way (though maybe there’s a moment in the movie that would make someone think about that idea for a second–I have no idea). So I don’t think the reader decides 100% of the meaning.
I think very short pieces/poems are especially open to multiple interpretations (esp if we’re thinking about theme or deeper meaning). But I do think the author’s words or director’s scene cuts matter. If what that person is trying to say is totally missed by the audience/reader, then the poet probably failed. But if a poet describes something, and different readers take a different deeper meaning from her words than she was thinking of, I as a poet think that’s great, and I as a reader demand it as my right:>)
Sorry…that’s a lot of rambling thoughts! Love hearing everyone’s opinions!
That so many interpretations can flow from eight well chosen, carefully crafted words really exemplifies the power of poetry. I love all of your ideas about Jone’s haiku. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly. I picture a ballerina en pointe, all the power in her body concentrated in that square inch or two of her toe block!
Wow. What a discussion. I believe it’s a combined effort because the reader brings their experiences when reading. I was struck by fresh snow on a decaying leaf.
Thank you for sharing and the discussion today.
I enjoyed your thoughts and the comments. Readers and writers do make my world complete.
And none of these interpretations would have been possible if we didn’t slow down and THINK about what we were reading! Collaboration between writer and reader takes work on both sides.
Laura, I also received this poetry postcard from Jone but I must admit that I did not come up with different interpretations like you did. That is an interesting approach. I looked closely at the design and how the words matched the image giving me a sense of peace. We both came up with a positive feeling from Jone’s lovely poem though. Thank you for writing your new book about the moon. I can’t wait to read the whole book.
I agree–that sense of peace pervades the lovely postcard. And I didn’t really mean to come up with different interpretations, but since I knew I would share it on my blog, I was pondering what I would say, and I realized that every time I looked at it, I had a slightly different takeaway:>) And…just emailed you about Moon:>)
I loved your interpretations. Thanks for the shower gift. I am going to tell Devin it is your gift to the Book Nana.