Writing poems for trees...
March 23, 2007
T his morning it feels like spring. That clean, earthy smell was wafting around my front yard this morning. This week has been one of the busiest in a long, long, long time. Three Raving Poets gigs in two days (all involving TV)…a doctor’s appointment, teaching three groups of grade 6’s, parent-teacher interviews…Yikes! No wonder I feel like a hammer fell on my head this morning. And add to this, a conversation with a guy, about a past sorbet, he got his hands on – one he finds offensive and insulting. I was flummoxed at the incredible misreading. Someone far smarter than me said all readings of poetry or fiction are “misreadings.” But this guy hit new levels of miscommunication. I was flabbergasted. I was, am, humbled by this interaction. I question the whole idea of the sorbets….the arrogance of my thinking that these poem fragments have value. Need to re-think the idea of the sorbets. There is an arrogance attached to the sorbets that worries me.
My good friend Michael Gravel once asked me what the Buddha would say about the Raving Poets, public readings of poetry to an audience, and this question certainly got me thinking. Of course, the best answer is: How the hell would I know?! But, in the end, I thought the Buddha might say: "What is the purpose of this reading poetry in public to illicit reaction from an audience? It is too much ego. Read your poem to a tree, or a river, or a mountain...Listen to what they say."
Today, I might ask the same question about these sorbets I send out. Why don’t I write these poems for my favourtie trees, or a river, or a mountain? Leave printed poems at the base of trees every Friday morning. Perhaps next Friday, I will try this, and see how it feels.
9 Comments
1. anita had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 10:27 ~ #
I’ve never thought of your Sorbets as a selfish act, Thomas. You have never asked for a response, or anything else in return. I think of them as a gift of moment, a kiss blown on the wind. I appreciate these moments, No matter what has happened in my day, they are a pause that takes me elsewhere. Thank you.
2. rachel had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 10:31 ~ #
Your sorbets provide a much needed glimpse into the beauty and diversity of the world we live in. They are as you have mentioned- unfinished leaving them open to conjecture and musings which make my day an interesting one. They arrive on a friday, and working in retail as I do- I never have weekends off. For me they are a break in my week and a much needed one. I am saddened to hear that someone perceived any malice or offensiveness to this weekly ritual. They have also provided me the push to perhaps write my own musings and feel that there is a place to send them that will be respected. Don’t you ever reconsider your sorbet. I’m afraid the person who misinterpreted their meaning just sucks- and needs to be more open-minded!!
3. Mike had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 11:27 ~ #
I wouldn’t let one man’s misinterpretation stop you from doing something that you love. I have never found any Trofimuk sorbet offensive in any way, and I doubt many others have.
It should be said that some reaction is better than no reaction. Indifference, not negative response, is the artist’s worst enemy. As David Lerner once said:
“All that hate is just love with a chip on its shoulder
A chip bigger than the Ritz,
and heavier than all the bills I’ll never pay.”
Carry on, Trofimuk. You do fine work.
4. Sheryl had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 13:41 ~ #
Hey there Thomas,
I frequently wonder about the craving to know what others think about my work (which means myself). Is it ego? Perhaps – but it feels like a certain lack of confidence.
I thought it was to learn more from others about what I can improve in my work , or enjoy the moment of glee if reaction is positive.
Humility is a trait that I admire and cherish, and as I see it, a path to improving ourselves and our work collectively (unless the point taken requires a stiff drink to be swallowed whole!).
On another point, whenever I find myself offended I strive to answer the question why. The answer to that question holds my truth, and tells me more about myself than that which offends.
I love reading your sorbets! I ponder your perspectives, and they remind me how creative and fun and powerful writing should be.
5. Thomas had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 13:54 ~ #
Boy did i open a can of lovely worms!!!! Thanks for these notes. I’m feeling oddly vulnerable right now…feel like writing my name in lower case a thousand times. I’ll snap out of it.
Thank you for these thoughtful, caring responses. I’m blessed and lucky to have had contact with you.
Namaste
Thomas
6. ink slinger had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 14:06 ~ #
I think all of the previous comments have summed up my own thoughts on this subject better than I ever could have—especially anita’s comment.
Keep up the good work, Thomas. And keep making me look forward to my Friday lunch breaks.
7. mary had this to say: Mar 23, 2007 ~ 21:32 ~ #
thomas,
i think your sorbets (well all your writing actually) are quite lovely.
mary
8. leah had this to say: Mar 26, 2007 ~ 21:03 ~ #
The Buddha would love the sorbets…being present and mindful on a Friday and being happy in the writing and happy in the reading. Freeing us from suffering of the mundane quotidien tedium…
the “offensee” reveals more about himself …attacking poets is an ancient sport because parrhesiasts may people nervous, make them question things, invite truth-looking — very dangerous to a status quo sort of person, so the most primal response is attack. May your provocateur be free from suffering and write his own literary nutrients.
For myself? I will continue to read the sorbets with all my feelings…and they are all my own problems — but the sorbets? They stand well for themselves and are things of beauty. Please continue…
9. Rosemary had this to say: Mar 27, 2007 ~ 07:20 ~ #
Thomas,
I think your gift is one which is meant to be shared. I enjoy reading the strong words and feelings which have been given to you to communicate via your sorbets. We all have to deal with negative people in our lives and rise above them.
Just remember – what goes around comes around!
Hugs to you my friend.
xoxo