Moneychanger
The circles fall...
the clang
of change...
so many choices
reflected
in columns of light
held
between hands...
in custody
weighing...
what value
am I
today
the clang
of change...
so many choices
reflected
in columns of light
held
between hands...
in custody
weighing...
what value
am I
today
posted by Lhombre at 1:34 PM
3 Comments:
Ah, there it is. This is an interesting and provocative poem, Lhombre. The phrases "choices reflected," "in custody," and "what value I am" raise lots of questions as to what/who this poem is about, and what the poem is questioning. I ruminated a while over this, wondering about things like capitalism, environmentalism, slavery, self-definition, community, etc. I'd be curious to know your thoughts on it. Thanks for sharing it.
mb: Well...I must say, I wish I could claim responsibiltiy for some of the interesting perceptions you have about the poem.
It's simply a set of memories from childhood. My father used to drive a taxi cab and he would bring his moneychanger home with him. I was probably about six or seven years of age at the time. I suppose some of the lines about "custody" might have something to do with my sense of individualiuty and freedom. It was something that was gifted to me by my parents at a very early age. At least, it felt that way to me. The lines having to do with "value" although a metaphor that I would like to think covers a lot of possibilities, probably has more to do with some self-questioning I had at the time I wrote the poem about hiow I used that freedom and sense of individuality as I have grown.
Like all of the poems I write, most of it simply stems from the lines as they unfold in the context of language and spontaneity as I move from word to word. I guess it's a lot like doing an abstract painting except the medium is more direct as to what it says over and above any private language(colors,shapes,scale,etc) that are a part of my painting process. I usually am very surprised by where they end up going. A lot like my painting.
I really appreciate your reading(s) of the poem. I would like to think my paintings have that kind of potential. Then again...maybe it has a lot to do with how much the reader/viewer brings to the experience.
Thanks again!
Oh, but I think some poets do use a private language of sorts. Of course, I find that sort of poem a little harder to access. And as for being surprised where they end up, isn't that a natural result of the creative process? I can't write a poem by laying it all out beforehand. I may have some thoughts and ideas beforehand, but as to where it actually goes and how it winds up, that's an experience itself to be gone through!
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