I finally finished Anselm Hollo’s Notes on the Possibilities and Attractions of Existence , and I’ll have to admit that I was a little disappointed as his style of poetry really isn’t quite my cup of tea, though as I’ve also pointed out there are a number of poems I quite liked.
My favorite poems are the simplest ones, ones like
Sunset Caboose
“freight train, freight train
going so fast”
old lights depart
brain’s, heart’s
gregarious troubles
take them out
one by one
to the great compost
but look at the bee
on its way
to what is brought out of light
that rely on clear, relatively simple lines to convey their message. Of course, as usual, personal preferences often dictate whether a poem does or does not resonate with a reader. The fact that I’ve been focusing on “light” in my photographs might actually prejudice me towards this poem, and the “compost” metaphor, as used in Whitman’s “This Compost,” is a metaphor that particularly appeals to me.
Certainly the baggage we carry has becomes more and more obvious as I’ve aged and found much of it meaningless. Emerson’s “Things are in the saddle and ride mankind” comes to mind.
As I’ve said previously, I generally admire Hollo’s sense of humor, a trait in short supply in most of my favorite poets. I think I loved this poem
Big Furry Buddha in Back Yard
it’s a made-up name
his real name is Bailey
all names are made-up
full moon &
our bats are back
bat is flutterer fluttermouse
verbal tea leaves interim moments
loony toon galaxy at bottom of page cup
world symphony much the same
they’ve just added more instruments
place used to be run by two big bunches of liars
now there is only one big bunch
who cares full moon &
our bats are back
bat is flutterer fluttermouse
from the moment I read the title. The first line of the poem merely added to the humor. The non-sensical link to that and the image of the bats, merely added to the overall tone of the poem. Why let the fact that our world is run by “only one big bunch” of liars ruin your day. Revel in the full moon and the bats who celebrate the night.
Didn’t the buddha already tell you that the world is full of sorrow?