Part one: The quote that stuck out to me in
The Line chapter was, "The gift of words- their acute and utter wakefulness- is drowned in a rhythm that is too regular, and the poem becomes, instead of musical, a dull and forgettable muttering" (56). I really enjoyed this advice from Oliver because she is describing a balance that poets should have between form and freedom. She makes the point that the length, rhythm, turn, and meter of our line is important, but that it is also just as important to make sure the structure of our line is not drowning out our emotion, substance, and beauty of our line. As a beginner poet it is hard to find this balance and be at peace with it but with practice I'm sure it will eventually come naturally.
My favorite quote from
Some Given Forms was, "Part of our pleasure in the poem is that it is a well-made thing-it gives pleasure through the authority and sweetness of the language
used in the way that it is used" (58). I love this advice because it does express the importance of every decision we make as poets to contrast a poem that we are happy with and that other readers can enjoy. The size of our stanza, the form, rhythm, what word we begin or end on, the verse, etc. They are all important details that can make or break the sweetness of our poem. When all of these components are mixed together and well, we bake a sweet and pleasurable poem.
Question: To be a poet, must we practice writing in form or is it possible to just write in free verse with no practice of form and make a just as pleasurable poem?
Part two:
This mural is Morley’s “Penny for Your Thoughts”. On Wabash Art Corridor they explain the purpose of the mural, "
Morley is a Los Angeles- based street artist specializing in bold, typographic posters that mix humor and hope. His recent installation on Wabash Avenue called “Penny for your thoughts,” is meant to act as a friendly voice amongst the barrage of billboard messages and corporate slogans." Even though I was able to explore the Chicago Museum of Art, which is arguably the best art museum in the nation, this mural meant more to me. I love it's purpose and I think it really tackles a sensitive subject in a beautiful way.
I love the mural you chose and how it combats negativity. It reminds me of an art project they installed in a few cities called "Before I Die" which had lines where people could write in chalk what they wanted to do. It was really shocking what people wrote and inspiring, it brought taboo subjects to light.
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