So let's talk poetry, yes SF
poetry...
Let’s talk a little poetry. I love poetry, especially
if it relates to science fiction and the related
genres (fantasy and horror). There’s just not
enough of it and I find it sad how many people
only read the poetry in their birthday cards.
So it’s back to books for me. Okay in all honesty,
I’ve never left them but just look at all the
time I have free now to read! I’m actually very
pleased about it!
I have many books of poetry but yet, seldom do
I sit down with one and say, "I’m going to read
this from beginning to end." I tend to leave them
on the desk or coffee table for months. Then from
time to time, I pick the book up and read a poem.
Maybe it’s the slow way to read poetry but it
works best for me. You see, after I read a poem,
I like to ponder the images it brought up and
think about the subject for a while.
Science fiction and fantasy poetry is particularly
rich in images to consider. When you think about
it, they should be. Those of us who love these
genres enjoy the awe and grandeur of our universe,
neat gadgets which change our lives for good or
bad and fantastical worlds; we’re open to new
ways of looking at things and envisioning that
which does not exist. Aren’t those the very elements
brought out by poetry? It seems they are made
for one another. Don’t you agree?
Recently I went to an art exhibit in San Francisco
and was pleasantly surprised to find poet Rain
Graves, there as well. Some of her poems corresponded
with the art on display and we enjoyed a reading.
I would like to recommend her book of poetry,
though it might be too dark for some. The book
is titled
Barfodder: Poetry Written in Dark Bars and
Questionable Places. I hear many of the
bars on the street we were at that night inspired
some of the included works.
Let me share one of Ms. Graves's poems with you:
Tales of Folk
By Rain Graves © 2008
moon swept wood on Troll Bridge
glistening like stars are elvin ears
soft buzzing like mosquitoes are fairy wings
they are the dragons, we call lizards
so tiny that ants must slay them...
armies strong and weak, red and black
carnivorous fire and vegetarian gathering
they hunt and gather like bees
those little witches that fly, ever bumbling.
The trees are triangle topped wizards
with silent knowledge never spoken,
but to the chosen few,
like Indians and Aboriginals,
also becoming extinct.
The grass is now golden and
ever thirsty for chlorophyll,
in between those mounds, those
hills for colonies of doers.
See what I mean about the imagery? It’s beautiful.
Barfodder: Poetry Written in Dark Bars and
Questionable Cafes
By Rain Graves
Cemetery Dance Publications
ISBN: 978-1-58767-200-2
Now, if you’ve got a hankering for regular
science fiction poetry, do check out Star*Line.
It’s a publication from the Science Fiction
Poetry Association. Issues are affordable at
$3.00 each and there are always interesting
perspectives inside. Star*line
Let me make a recommendation.. Grab yourself
some poetry and tuck it away inside your purse,
your briefcase, the glove compartment of the
car, your backpack or the back pocket of your
jeans. Then whenever you’re stuck waiting at
the doctor’s office, at a bus stop, or bored
with what’s on television, whip that baby out
and read through just one poem. It’s a small
thing which can bring great pleasure if you
allow it to.
If you have any specific topics you'd like
to see me cover or just want to comment, email
me
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