Welcome to the 196th Virtual Poetry Circle!
Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.
Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.
Also, sign up for the 2013 Dive Into Poetry Challenge because its simple; you only need to read 1 book of poetry. Please sign up to be a stop on the 2013 National Poetry Month Blog Tour and visit the stops on the 2012 National Poetry Month Blog Tour.
Today’s poem is from Linda Gregg:
The Secrets of Poetry Very long ago when the exquisite celadon bowl that was the mikado's favorite cup got broken, no one in Japan had the skill and courage to mend it. So the pieces were taken back to China with a plea to the emperor that it be repaired. When the bowl returned, it was held together with heavy iron staples. The letter with it said they could not make it more perfect. Which turned out to be true.
What do you think?
Click the image below for today’s National Poetry Month blog tour post.
I think this poem says a lot about both people and poetry. Good one to feature!
Loved this one! So evocative — and sweet, in a way, our imperfections being our perfections. Also, I see it as a variation on the definition of perfect — not ‘flawless’ but ‘satisfying all requirements’ — it is a bowl, held together — it satisfies the requirements of the bowl. Doesn’t matter that is is stapled together, etc. Or it can be both — once perfect (flawless) and now perfect (all requirements) — it can’t be more.
Or maybe I’m just getting too mired in the details — but either way — was captured by this one.
As for Becca’s query, what does that have to do with the title? Is it that the secret of poetry is any poem cannot be more perfect that what it is?
I think the secret is that it is perfect in its imperfections.
I got out of it the same thing as Beth, but I am not sure how that is the secret of poetry? Can you explain it?
I think it’s suggesting that like people, poetry can be the same…beautiful in all of its faults.
Love the poem … Here’s what I thought when I read it: sometimes when things are broken, including people, they are still and forever beautiful.
I got that same impression, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed this poem.