Still

This is a serious poetry forum not a "love-in". Post here for more detailed, constructive criticism.
Post Reply
NotQuiteSure
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3514
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:05 pm

Wed Jun 17, 2020 1:22 pm

.
Still


it is not that
our sins were quiet
oceans filled their throats
and wealth buys its own
silence



.
Last edited by NotQuiteSure on Sun Jun 21, 2020 12:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Firebird
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3097
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 9:46 pm

Wed Jun 17, 2020 2:16 pm

Do oceans fill
the throats of our sins
or does wealth
buys it own
silence?

Just a suggestion.

I’m still thinking about the meaning, but I like the central image of throats/oceans/sins.

Cheers,

Tristan
NotQuiteSure
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3514
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:05 pm

Thu Jun 18, 2020 11:02 am

.

Hi Tristan,
thanks for the read, and the re-write. A different, but intriguing, question, I think.

Regards, Not



.
Macavity
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 11919
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 10:29 am

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:22 pm

Not having a light bulb moment, but that doesn't matter because the dividing elements are interesting enough in themselves: quiet/silent; poverty/wealth; small/vast. Particularly hooked by the 'vocal' slant.

All the best

mac
TrevorConway
Persistent Poster
Persistent Poster
Posts: 218
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2020 10:09 am

Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:58 pm

Can I join in on the collaboration? I like elements of what Tristan has suggested. See if you can take anything from my revision below.

It is not
that oceans fill
the throats of our sins,
but wealth
may buy its own silence.

I don't think it feels complete by itself, though, more like a good beginning or ending of a poem.

T
NotQuiteSure
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3514
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:05 pm

Fri Jun 19, 2020 5:08 pm

.
Hi mac, T.

Thanks for the read.

Don't know if it will help mac, but think of two of the meanings of 'still', that should steer you in the right direction, hopefully.

Thanks for playing T, will ponder (but Tristan's version may be going in a different direction to the one I (apparently obscurely) intend.


Regards both,

Not.


.
User avatar
Poet
Prolific Poster
Prolific Poster
Posts: 309
Joined: Wed Jun 05, 2019 2:50 pm
Location: Japan
Contact:

Sun Jun 21, 2020 2:04 am

NotQuiteSure wrote:
Wed Jun 17, 2020 1:22 pm
.
Still


it is not that
our sins were quiet
oceans filled their throats
and wealth buys it own
silence



.
Buys it own silence? That doesn't make any sense! Re-write this poem immediately, i like the oceans filled their throats line, good stuff, you are also missing periods too by the way. Anyway thanks for sharing.
User avatar
JJWilliamson
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3276
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2015 6:20 am

Sun Jun 21, 2020 7:46 am

Is this anything to do with slavery, Not?

Just thinkin'.

JJ
Long time a child and still a child
NotQuiteSure
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3514
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:05 pm

Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:26 am

.
Hi poet,
thanks for the read.

Hi JJ,
welcome back, and just in time!
Yes, it's to do with slavery, statues and ... relieved that that's not hopelessly obscure. :)

Regards, Not


.
User avatar
JJWilliamson
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3276
Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2015 6:20 am

Sun Jun 21, 2020 11:03 am

NotQuiteSure wrote:
Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:26 am
.
Hi poet,
thanks for the read.

Hi JJ,
welcome back, and just in time!
Yes, it's to do with slavery, statues and ... relieved that that's not hopelessly obscure. :)

Regards, Not


.
Ah, good. I like it for its understated simplicity, something that invites the reader to pause and think.
L4 Typo on 'its'.

Best

JJ
Long time a child and still a child
NotQuiteSure
Perspicacious Poster
Perspicacious Poster
Posts: 3514
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:05 pm

Sun Jun 21, 2020 12:40 pm

.
Bugger.
Thanks JJ (fixed).
Did I say welcome back?

Regards, Not

.
Post Reply