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Billy Collins, blogging101, Creative Writing, Journaling, Plato's Groove, Poetry, The Writer's Almanac, Writing 101
Read this poem this morning on The Writer’s Almanac (which I get in my email every day), and it reminded me of someone we know and love who is playing around with putting his words to music — Plato! Do stop by and hear some of his wonderful poems read aloud with music over at Plato’s Groove. In the mean time, enjoy this poem by Billy Collins. And check out The Writer’s Almanac. I’ve been getting their email for
The Blues
Listen Online (poem is at 3:06)
Much of what is said here
must be said twice,
a reminder that no one
takes an immediate interest in the pain of others.
Nobody will listen, it would seem,
if you simply admit
your baby left you early this morning
she didn’t even stop to say good-bye.
But if you sing it again
with the help of the band
which will now lift you to a higher,
more ardent and beseeching key,
people will not only listen;
they will shift to the sympathetic
edges of their chairs,
moved to such acute anticipation
by that chord and the delay that follows,
they will not be able to sleep
unless you release with one finger
a scream from the throat of your guitar
and turn your head back to the microphone
to let them know
you’re a hard-hearted man
but that woman’s sure going to make you cry.
“The Blues” by Billy Collins from Sailing Alone Around the Room. © Random House, 2002.
Impromptu Promptlings 
Nice!
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And true!!!
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If I were going to make a wish to change the way things are, I would become a poet. A poet who makes money writing poetry. Thanks for sharing this. I listened to Keillor’s rendition, along with all that other news from today…70,000 Puerto Ricans immigrated to the US all at once, the largest single migration ever, it said, I think. Ever? I don’t know. But thanks for putting me in a poetic head space.
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You’re welcome. and did your head come up with any poetry to tinker with??? 😉
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The inside of my head IS a poem. It just doesn’t sound like Plato’s when it comes out to sit on a page! Nor is it as hefty as his.
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Well I think you should share something else so we can judge for ourselves! 😉
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Roses are red
Violets are blue
I’m sitting here in Bali
and wearing no shoes
See. Told you. It sounded MUCH better inside my head.
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I disagree! I think it’s delightful. (And you designed it just to make us jealous, didn’t you!) {{{BF}}}
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BUSTED!! But in my defense, I did edit the first draft…which had a final line that went something like…”but you are not”…so, I’m not heartless, and also, it didn’t rhyme with blue
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LMBO! You’re so full of it BF! But lovable! 😉 Care to try again?
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hmmmmmm
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oh I enjoyed this so much, your posts are always such an inspiration, thank you my friend, lots of love you!
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I’m glad you liked it. Billy Collins is a favorite of mine. He’s been very successful with his work. Hugs back!
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This is her y beautiful, you found this on the almanac huh definitely will check it out new and interesting ways to describe experiences are always welcomed thanks calensariel
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Glad you like it. I thought there was a lot of truth in it judging from folks response to Plato’s audio recordings.
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