We look to any poet or author to discuss things that are relatable. If it is not relatable in some way, the piece does not often spark our interest as much. This is why we all have favorite authors and poets- we gravitate towards the ones who we feel most connected to for whatever personal reason. Since all of life is a story, when writers choose the most relevant and the most relatable, these are usually the best works. Brautigan does this often with his poetry. He brings out the fantasy of everyday events, keeping them simple, easy, beautiful. I find this especially in his love poetry.
In his poem, It's Raining in Love (p 61) Brautigan discusses his feelings upon first falling in love with a girl. I was moved by his spot on depiction of this sudden intense self-doubt:
If I say, "Do you think it's going to rain?"
and she says, "I don't know,"
I start thinking: Does she really like me?
In other words
I get a little creepy
How many times have we felt this way? I know I certainly have. I love this poem for it's simple brilliance. I love this poem because Brautigan was actually able to put this feeling to words.
Another one of my favorites is Boo, Forever (p 108). In my opinion this is certainly one of the most beautiful poems in the collection. Deeply emotional, and again spot on in pinpointing emotions with beautiful language, this poem probably moved me the most.
Spinning like a ghost
on the bottom of a
top
If you think about what this is saying, and about this space he is describing, it is terribly sad.
I'm definitely biased in my opinion of Brautigan because I have always been a romantic- but, I think it's hard to deny the intelligence of the simple beauty, especially in his love poems
2 comments:
I would have to agree with your analysis of why we are attracted to certain art or authors. I have found that throughout my literature career, I have never truly had a passion for reading (which is a terrible fault for a creative writer such as myself). Then this summer I had to go with my girlfriend to get her hair styled and her mother gave me a book to read, Amazonia. Within the first pages I was hooked and realized I had finally found the writing style I am passionate about. Since then I haven’t been able to stop reading or writing that type of material.
Just wondering, which of the poems you chose is your favorite and why? The reason I am curious is because they all seem to have a different theme and I would think your favorite may be telling of yourself. My favorite of the two is the first one because of its simplicity but also its humor.
Being a romantic and a writer I think is a blessing and a curse. I feel like you have so much to talk about and your feelings are in the right place and you know you want to put them down on to paper, but when you finally do the words just don’t convey the emotion. Your romantic side overpowers your words and leaves you feeling like you could have done more. I know I’m this way, who knows, maybe your luckier than me.
thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you on all counts.
My favorite of the two is the second one, I think. And it is the most telling about myself and my relationships..
and i'm not luckier than you.
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