Love it. “ I don’t know”. What are poets for? We will all live into the questions as those who called themselves poets before did. I love her examples. Poetry doesn’t belong to the language department. It enters into it. Just like it enters into physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Maybe poets are translators? Trying to use words to speak of the astonishment words never could. Thank you so much for sharing this Erik.
This wonderfully puts into words my own thoughts - poets as translators of diverse fields of study/ways of thinking and perceiving the world. Opening doors in a hallway and standing in the hallway observing and trying to put into language different aspects/elements of the human experience or variations in the stories in which we individually play a role. Working to compile these pockets of experiences into chapters/sections of a book of life or the reality which exists and weaves together us all.
In the classic film, 'Orpheus' (Jean Cocteau, 1950) the hero is a poet who has fallen out of favor within his community of young writers. He asks an elder peer what he can do to win back their affection. And the response is, "Astonish us!" Well...I'm astonished near-daily by Poetic Outlaw posts such as this one.
Thank you. I like this bit best: “But in the language of poetry, where every word is weighed, nothing is usual or normal.” Poetry is a magic trick wherein the normal is made unusual to highlight its universality.
Stunning piercing humble insightful from first "T" to the final period driven by the engine of "I don't know". Her words permeate the air like a fresh Spring blossom. Thank you Erik for sharing this piece.
Thank you for posting this stunning Nobel essay/lecture. We all might benefit from reading Nobel lecture essays on a daily basis. What struck me especially was this paragraph:
"When I’m asked about this on occasion, I hedge the question too. But my answer is this: inspiration is not the exclusive privilege of poets or artists generally. There is, has been, and will always be a certain group of people whom inspiration visits. It’s made up of all those who’ve consciously chosen their calling and do their job with love and imagination. It may include doctors, teachers, gardeners – and I could list a hundred more professions. Their work becomes one continuous adventure as long as they manage to keep discovering new challenges in it. Difficulties and setbacks never quell their curiosity. A swarm of new questions emerges from every problem they solve. Whatever inspiration is, it’s born from a continuous “I don’t know.”
Curiosity born of a continuous "I don't know".
Given these particular times of oligarchic authoritarianism to keep saying "I don't know" may eventually make a space for truth to emerge from a world of intentional lies which lead to nothing but catastrophe in the end.
Absolutely soul piercing. The kind of insight that is both centered and chaotic because as humans we can have pointed thoughts, yet will always be stuck in a state of mystery and uncertainty. Beauty in the filth at it’s finest.
What a privilege it is to have this appear in front of me 🩷 Added to this is the amazing fortune of being able to read and comprehend these incredible insights. Many many thanks for sharing this.
My favorite teacher, Mr Robert Murdoch from Scotland at SIUE in Illinois said to me 60 years ago when describing the “aha” moment: “It’s Revelation through Discovery. It’s God helps Those who help Themselves. It’s Religious Understanding through Scientific Means. “ It’s Life.
Love it. “ I don’t know”. What are poets for? We will all live into the questions as those who called themselves poets before did. I love her examples. Poetry doesn’t belong to the language department. It enters into it. Just like it enters into physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Maybe poets are translators? Trying to use words to speak of the astonishment words never could. Thank you so much for sharing this Erik.
This wonderfully puts into words my own thoughts - poets as translators of diverse fields of study/ways of thinking and perceiving the world. Opening doors in a hallway and standing in the hallway observing and trying to put into language different aspects/elements of the human experience or variations in the stories in which we individually play a role. Working to compile these pockets of experiences into chapters/sections of a book of life or the reality which exists and weaves together us all.
Beautifully said Kelly! We are the poem.
In the classic film, 'Orpheus' (Jean Cocteau, 1950) the hero is a poet who has fallen out of favor within his community of young writers. He asks an elder peer what he can do to win back their affection. And the response is, "Astonish us!" Well...I'm astonished near-daily by Poetic Outlaw posts such as this one.
Thank you. I like this bit best: “But in the language of poetry, where every word is weighed, nothing is usual or normal.” Poetry is a magic trick wherein the normal is made unusual to highlight its universality.
what a great piece! thank you from poet
Stunning piercing humble insightful from first "T" to the final period driven by the engine of "I don't know". Her words permeate the air like a fresh Spring blossom. Thank you Erik for sharing this piece.
Thank you for posting this stunning Nobel essay/lecture. We all might benefit from reading Nobel lecture essays on a daily basis. What struck me especially was this paragraph:
"When I’m asked about this on occasion, I hedge the question too. But my answer is this: inspiration is not the exclusive privilege of poets or artists generally. There is, has been, and will always be a certain group of people whom inspiration visits. It’s made up of all those who’ve consciously chosen their calling and do their job with love and imagination. It may include doctors, teachers, gardeners – and I could list a hundred more professions. Their work becomes one continuous adventure as long as they manage to keep discovering new challenges in it. Difficulties and setbacks never quell their curiosity. A swarm of new questions emerges from every problem they solve. Whatever inspiration is, it’s born from a continuous “I don’t know.”
Curiosity born of a continuous "I don't know".
Given these particular times of oligarchic authoritarianism to keep saying "I don't know" may eventually make a space for truth to emerge from a world of intentional lies which lead to nothing but catastrophe in the end.
Loved this feature. Thank you for sharing.
It feels great to be reminded that the deep mines in which we toil in the total darkness, there is meaning and value, even if no redemption.
What a treasure her words are. Thank you so much for sharing this for some of us to discover.
I've never felt so seen.
Ditto!
Wow.
Absolutely soul piercing. The kind of insight that is both centered and chaotic because as humans we can have pointed thoughts, yet will always be stuck in a state of mystery and uncertainty. Beauty in the filth at it’s finest.
Wow. What a speech. Thanks for sharing it here
"Yesterday
the starfish
so many, so white,
so close to the dock
in the green light
off Hobart
sent me rapt
like Coleridge’s old mariner
taking coils of sea snake
to his bosom.
Today
the Museum told me
the starfish
are foreigners
are breeding like rats
are gobbling them
who belong here." Dorothy Porter
What a privilege it is to have this appear in front of me 🩷 Added to this is the amazing fortune of being able to read and comprehend these incredible insights. Many many thanks for sharing this.
My favorite teacher, Mr Robert Murdoch from Scotland at SIUE in Illinois said to me 60 years ago when describing the “aha” moment: “It’s Revelation through Discovery. It’s God helps Those who help Themselves. It’s Religious Understanding through Scientific Means. “ It’s Life.
Ahhh.
Thank you. I needed to read this again today.