Poetry Challenge #11: Lyric Poem

OK, kids, as always, be sure to check out the terrific Tanka submitted over the past week here.

This week, I'm selfishly bending my self-imposed rules for the poetry challenge by picking a type of poem, not a form, as I have done for the first ten challenges. That means that we have a bit more leeway in what we write; there will be less rules and restrictions to follow. Interpret that as you will.

A lyric poem is generally defined as a short poem (in poetry "short" just means less than a few pages long!) in which a speaker expresses thought and feeling. The name "lyric" comes from the early tradition of setting these works to music. Elegies, odes, sonnets, and dramatic monologues all fall under the category of lyric poetry, so if you want to try any of these forms (again?), you certainly may.

A wonderful lyric poet was Joseph Brodsky; if you are unfamiliar with him I recommend you click his name to call up his biography--he was a really interesting man. Anyway, my example for lyric poetry will be from his extensive collection.

Odysseus to Telemachus

 

by Joseph Brodsky

My dear Telemachus,

                   The Trojan War 

is over now; I don't recall who won it. 

The Greeks, no doubt, for only they would leave

so many dead so far from their own homeland. 

But still, my homeward way has proved too long. 

While we were wasting time there, old Poseidon, 

it almost seems, stretched and extended space.

I don't know where I am or what this place 

can be. It would appear some filthy island, 

with bushes, buildings, and great grunting pigs. 

A garden choked with weeds; some queen or other. 

Grass and huge stones . . . Telemachus, my son! 

To a wanderer the faces of all islands 

resemble one another. And the mind 

trips, numbering waves; eyes, sore from sea horizons, 

run; and the flesh of water stuffs the ears. 

I can't remember how the war came out; 

even how old you are--I can't remember.

Grow up, then, my Telemachus, grow strong. 

Only the gods know if we'll see each other 

again. You've long since ceased to be that babe 

before whom I reined in the plowing bullocks. 

Had it not been for Palamedes' trick 

we two would still be living in one household. 

But maybe he was right; away from me 

you are quite safe from all Oedipal passions, 

and your dreams, my Telemachus, are blameless.

The reason that selecting this category of poetry is "selfish" is because I have been wanting to write what I'll be using as my example of a lyric poem since last Saturday's 10-mile run. Because I'll be co-opting the rhythm of Miles Davis' "So What," I feel lyric poetry comes the closest to the form I will be experimenting with here. 

10-Miles

to “So What” by Miles Davis

A hundred runners passing me.

So what.

This isn’t really competition.

Kick butt.

I’m only running to be fit.

Who cares?

So why be annoyed?

Who stares?

I never aimed to beat the pack.

Goodbye.

No way in hell that I could catch them.

Eyes dry.

So don’t feel sorry for yourself.

Chin up.

Just keep on running.

Ten, hut!

Despite whatever they may think,

Who’s that?

I’m not too bad for a beginner.

Back pat.

Now I just need to clear my mind,

Shut up!

and concentrate on what I’m doing.

Heads up.

Now that my pity party’s done,

Go home.

I can get going on to business.

Shalom.

I lift my eyes to the skyline,

Nice view.

and remember this:

Renew.

So, let your imaginations and feelings run wild. If you are inspired by a particular instrumental song, feel free to co-opt its rhythms or tonal colors to create your lyric poem. Otherwise, just look inside yourself. I am a firm believer that anyone can be a poet. Good poetry just takes honesty and a willingness to think and write outside the box. C'mon, show me what you've got.