I love this: "It was ok to feel deeply (especially as a man), it was “normal” to profess love, it was necessary to take what was in your heart and put it on paper."
So awesome that you shared your poem on an open mic and received a sweet note from a stranger. It's always something I've imagined doing but have never taken the steps to do so. You inspire me!
What a lovely detour through your own and your favorite poetry. I remember my 15 year old self disliking poetry, and now my nearly 40 year old self realizing how lost I was back then. Your writing here holds so much strength, especially as I've learned to love poetry recently through Neruda and Keats.
“I write poems to bring harmony to all the identities within me.”
Amen. These impulses are not meant to simply be contained within us. We must put them out into the world. Sharing your poems and prose is a commitment to helping others come to terms with and join the identities within them. Thank you for t building a bridge of nudging awareness with your words.
“It was ok to feel deeply (especially as a man), it was “normal” to profess love, it was necessary to take what was in your heart and put it on paper.” This line hit hard. It’s such a treat to glimpse how poetry is “the nucleus of your writing,” Camilo. So many lines in here that stood out, such as the line about the zeitgeist and the poet as the truth-teller and, of course, your own poems. Just beautiful. While I’m not much of a poetry writer, I consider myself a strong admirer and observer of the art (Neruda is also one of my favorites). I understand it takes immense courage and a swallowing of the ego, but you write beautifully and I hope you share more of your poetry on here. :)
I lol'd at footnote #1 and Discman Flex.
I love this: "It was ok to feel deeply (especially as a man), it was “normal” to profess love, it was necessary to take what was in your heart and put it on paper."
So awesome that you shared your poem on an open mic and received a sweet note from a stranger. It's always something I've imagined doing but have never taken the steps to do so. You inspire me!
Camilo,
What a lovely detour through your own and your favorite poetry. I remember my 15 year old self disliking poetry, and now my nearly 40 year old self realizing how lost I was back then. Your writing here holds so much strength, especially as I've learned to love poetry recently through Neruda and Keats.
“I write poems to bring harmony to all the identities within me.”
Amen. These impulses are not meant to simply be contained within us. We must put them out into the world. Sharing your poems and prose is a commitment to helping others come to terms with and join the identities within them. Thank you for t building a bridge of nudging awareness with your words.
This is beautiful Camilo. The first poem I learned by heart was Neruda's Poem 15, a classic.
Hurray the pen is not lost!
“It was ok to feel deeply (especially as a man), it was “normal” to profess love, it was necessary to take what was in your heart and put it on paper.” This line hit hard. It’s such a treat to glimpse how poetry is “the nucleus of your writing,” Camilo. So many lines in here that stood out, such as the line about the zeitgeist and the poet as the truth-teller and, of course, your own poems. Just beautiful. While I’m not much of a poetry writer, I consider myself a strong admirer and observer of the art (Neruda is also one of my favorites). I understand it takes immense courage and a swallowing of the ego, but you write beautifully and I hope you share more of your poetry on here. :)