Poetry, science fiction, fantasy, horror, and culture from a Lao American perspective.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Visual Poem June 2006: What Lasts
Over at the blog of the terrific Barbara Jane Reyes, she's sent up an intriguing visual poem. In the name of interesting poetic dialogues, then, here is my own response. I look forward to seeing the responses of others on their blogs!
I like what you've done here. Would it be possible for you to post a slightly larger version of the top photo? I think I'm seeing one thing but maybe that's just what my brain's "interpreting" because of what I see in the other two photos.
Initially, I see a lot here within each individual photo as well as in how they relate.
Yours is linear but also expansive - but then, I know you, so am probably also interjecting what I know of you, what you are, into my insta-interpretation.
"Go figure," as a friend of mine is like to say. ;P
But seriously, I do have to give credit to Barbara's piece, which is interestingly in the tradition of a long visual poem- I think it's intriguing that it's structured in an 8x3 or 24-element grid: Suggests to me that we're looking at a 24-hour observation of a day.
I'm intrigued by the progression of people: Crowds, couples, single people, etc. until finally none at all, and we're looking at the traces of human beings among nature: 2 empty shoes, children's pinwheels and the city at night, the only signs of life really being lights that may not signal anything at all.
It's chaotic and beautiful in its chaos. :)
(Although I reaaaaaaly hope I'm not reading way too much into it.)
I have to give a big thumbs up to Sume's work too over at Ethnically Incorrect Daughter- her response was really neat too!
Thanks Bryan, I thought about posting my thoughts on yours here but by the time I'd finished, I'd written a book. You gave an excellent example to follow. I'm sure I also read a lot into yours that wasn't intended but I have a habit of over-analysing things anyway.
Barbara's did feel a bit chaotic but I think it worked well as a starting point.
BTW, I'm still kicking myself for that typo. The spas in me just can't let it go. My sincerest apologies.
Over here, we're trying to keep the blog a fun place to visit and bring the life back to Asian American poetry, with verve, craft and the energy it's always meant to have!
And for the record, tonight mine was a BBQ sandwich that was quite yummy.
I like what you've done here. Would it be possible for you to post a slightly larger version of the top photo? I think I'm seeing one thing but maybe that's just what my brain's "interpreting" because of what I see in the other two photos.
ReplyDeleteInitially, I see a lot here within each individual photo as well as in how they relate.
Yours is better.
ReplyDeleteHers is "noisy," incoherent.
Yours is linear but also expansive - but then, I know you, so am probably also interjecting what I know of you, what you are, into my insta-interpretation.
"Go figure," as a friend of mine is like to say. ;P
C
Awww. Thanks. You make me blush.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I do have to give credit to Barbara's piece, which is interestingly in the tradition of a long visual poem- I think it's intriguing that it's structured in an 8x3 or 24-element grid: Suggests to me that we're looking at a 24-hour observation of a day.
I'm intrigued by the progression of people: Crowds, couples, single people, etc. until finally none at all, and we're looking at the traces of human beings among nature: 2 empty shoes, children's pinwheels and the city at night, the only signs of life really being lights that may not signal anything at all.
It's chaotic and beautiful in its chaos. :)
(Although I reaaaaaaly hope I'm not reading way too much into it.)
I have to give a big thumbs up to Sume's work too over at Ethnically Incorrect Daughter- her response was really neat too!
Thanks Bryan, I thought about posting my thoughts on yours here but by the time I'd finished, I'd written a book. You gave an excellent example to follow. I'm sure I also read a lot into yours that wasn't intended but I have a habit of over-analysing things anyway.
ReplyDeleteBarbara's did feel a bit chaotic but I think it worked well as a starting point.
BTW, I'm still kicking myself for that typo. The spas in me just can't let it go. My sincerest apologies.
hi Bryan, good to see that your long-awaited blog has gone live! just popping in here to say hi...
ReplyDeletebtw, I've moved on from noodles and just scarfed down a no-nonsense burger-joint cheeseburger, yum ;)
Thanks, Pam!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you running around still!
Over here, we're trying to keep the blog a fun place to visit and bring the life back to Asian American poetry, with verve, craft and the energy it's always meant to have!
And for the record, tonight mine was a BBQ sandwich that was quite yummy.
Time to go pounce with the tigers!