It is frightening to ask a question ,because no one may answer you or think the question stupid, too precious, too cute. It is humbling to receive well-thought out, patient answers (whether they are short like Steven Evans’s or long like Francoise Renoir’s) from the makers in Redroom.

I must say that Redroom has been a rare gift. Many weeks ago Judith Tannebaum said in earlier post that I ask questions as if there was only one answer. That disturbed me at first and I could feel my face flush, but I am old enough to know that when I am uncomfortable, that’s the time to stop and take notice. And as I ruminated on her answer further, I sensed a physical opening inside my breast. As I have grown older, a hardening of views has taken place—good in some aspects and very bad in another. Strange to think that it has taken me nearly 50 years to realize that when I ask a question, the answers will be wide, varied, even changeable.

"Clarity" in gouache, by Belle

I had promised myself I’d save what I consider the best for last—that is, when I am much older, I will indulge in reading only poetry. But I’ve given myself a gift. I’ve embarked on my journey today. I will have decades of hard thinking and delight. I believe poetry will be the only literature that will really matter to me in the end.

I asked and I received and I’ve been sucking on your answers like so many butterballs. And the best part is that I’ve learned A LOT. I did not ask a question in vain. No one made me feel uncomfortable.

Marilyn Kallet from her Virginia studio with a view said, “Beware of anyone who tells you there is only one way to write or read it.”

I’ve been listening BBC Radio 3’s 4-part program, The Essay, on Virgil’s Aeneid and thinking well, what does the Aeneid have anything to do with my question and the replies? The Aeneid is partly the poetry of conquest and Empire and what does it have to do with say, Cheryl Snell’s analysis of a poem, Jessica Barksdale’s poetry or the replies of Alexander Becher of Corinne Copnik?

Then came Mitch Cullin’s answer: what isn’t poetry? And that really struck hard. Yes, what isn’t poetry? There was an answer.

Now I am looking forward to Matthew Biberman weigh in with free verses meter. He is busy working on Big Sid’s Vicanti, due out in 2009.

Don't you all go away, because I am NOT done asking questions!!

Go to original question and answers: What is poetry?

Belle

PS--Check out Cheryl Snell's analysis of a poem.

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Belle's Youtube video of her graphic novel-in-progress