64 thoughts on “My Poem “The Resonance of No” is Up at the December Issue of Gravel Literary Magazine”
Your work is really getting out there now! Congratulations!
We need deeply personal, thoughtful poetry now in this world with malignant narcissists like Donald Trump splattering their unrestrained feculence all over the planet!
Thanks, Daniel. It never feels like I’m getting enough done, but in retrospect, the past year has been surprisingly good to me. I attribute it mostly to a good blend of persistence and luck.
Persistence and good luck only benefits powerful material. Sting needed 0.0001 % persistence and no luck at all in the 70s and 80s. Ornette Coleman’s genius was hard to fathom by the general populace so he needed lots of persistence and luck, Van Gogh had NO luck, and persisted as long as he could, but the core originality or genius is there.
So I think this is not luck at all. Your work is too good to require luck. Now that you actually have the time to persist at writing, the rewards are natural… you are THAT good.
You also say, “It feels like I am never getting enough done”. Anshin Shite Kudasai, Okaji-Sensei! 🙂
The artist writes when he/she is inspired, and/or takes the craftsman’s approach and commits hours to crafting. But the German Protestant “I’m not getting enough done” has nothing to do with great art such as yours. Trust me I KNOW the feeling… we both have the Teutonic “Arbeit ist Leben…ja, das ist die richtige Art und Weise zu denken!!!” gene.
But you also have the wonderful Japanese “mushotoku” gene, i.e. ‘doing’ is the art and “be ye not attached to the results”: the act of forming is the REAL “form”.
A woman who is only 4 months pregnant is still getting enough done… art is pregnancy without trimesters!
That struggle does not have to be your enemy… let them both grow and be themselves, twins in the fertile womb of your mind. Both have Apollonian and Dionysian aspects, so let them struggle and record the results as poetry.
I read it out loud and loved the rhythm. So true, how mundane activities give us time to think and reflect and play. Often my thoughts get themselves organized while doing things that require no thought.
Let it resonate, like every one of your poems, demanding recommence.
…Besides, the dishwasher’s rumble and whine numbs the soul.
On another [relevant, I hope] note, the name of this poem reminds me to take this opportunity to go out on a limb and ask you if you happen to have also written a piece called “Autobiography of Yes”? I’m hoping you’ll say yes, because I’ve been searching the internet for it for months. I’m yearning to read it over, and over again.
Thank you for your kind words. Alas, I did not write “Autobiography of Yes,” although it sounds like something I might write. 🙂 Good luck in your search!
It is my pleasure about the kind words. As for the other poem, my search continues. I will link it to you if I do find it, this coincidental antipode 🙂
Reading them in succession, “Yes”, then “No”, is particularly satisfying… and doesn’t it just exemplify our bifurcations when faced with distress?
Cheers!
Thank you for the blog ‘like’, Robert! I appreciate the poem and find the time spent reflecting over washing dishes to be truly useful. This line is great: “…none of the words I’ve conjured and shaped over decades and miles will extend their comfort.” Very true.
Robert, thank you for drifting by nothingcluelesslost.com
Through your visit, my world opened towards a treasure trove of poetry I could not imagine. I am in awe at the abundant creativity and the surprises the universe dishes up on a daily basis since writing my blog.
Your work is really getting out there now! Congratulations!
We need deeply personal, thoughtful poetry now in this world with malignant narcissists like Donald Trump splattering their unrestrained feculence all over the planet!
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Thanks, Daniel. It never feels like I’m getting enough done, but in retrospect, the past year has been surprisingly good to me. I attribute it mostly to a good blend of persistence and luck.
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Persistence and good luck only benefits powerful material. Sting needed 0.0001 % persistence and no luck at all in the 70s and 80s. Ornette Coleman’s genius was hard to fathom by the general populace so he needed lots of persistence and luck, Van Gogh had NO luck, and persisted as long as he could, but the core originality or genius is there.
So I think this is not luck at all. Your work is too good to require luck. Now that you actually have the time to persist at writing, the rewards are natural… you are THAT good.
You also say, “It feels like I am never getting enough done”. Anshin Shite Kudasai, Okaji-Sensei! 🙂
The artist writes when he/she is inspired, and/or takes the craftsman’s approach and commits hours to crafting. But the German Protestant “I’m not getting enough done” has nothing to do with great art such as yours. Trust me I KNOW the feeling… we both have the Teutonic “Arbeit ist Leben…ja, das ist die richtige Art und Weise zu denken!!!” gene.
But you also have the wonderful Japanese “mushotoku” gene, i.e. ‘doing’ is the art and “be ye not attached to the results”: the act of forming is the REAL “form”.
A woman who is only 4 months pregnant is still getting enough done… art is pregnancy without trimesters!
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My two halves do struggle at times. 🙂
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That struggle does not have to be your enemy… let them both grow and be themselves, twins in the fertile womb of your mind. Both have Apollonian and Dionysian aspects, so let them struggle and record the results as poetry.
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I have no choice – they make me who and what I am.
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If it is you that they make then I am all for it. Sensei wa ‘cho omoroi’… de gozaimasu!!
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That’s lovely
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Thank you, Claire.
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Congratulations!
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Thanks, Andrew.
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You’re welcome.
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Congratulations, Bob.
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Thanks, Ken! It’s always a pleasure.
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Nice piece!
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Thank you, Tom.
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I seem to remember this one. I know I say that a lot. Maybe it’s because I feel so many of your poems in my bones…
Congratulations!
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Thanks, Stephanie. This may have been included in my Truchas packet. I can’t remember…
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It’s lovely, Bob. Congratulations.
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Thank you, Cate. It’s always such a pleasure to get published.
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Congratulations, Robert. “The resonance of no” sounds like a compelling read. I’m saying to myself: “Where can I find it? Where can I find it?”
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Thanks, George. It is rather elusive.
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Congratulations. Another new publication for me to seek out. You expamd my world, thank you.
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It’s my pleasure, Angela. And thank you for reading!
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Congratulations. I love the title. I enjoy your blog very much.
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Thank you, Ali. Much appreciated.
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Wonderful Robert 🙂
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Thank you, Tammy.
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One of your most satisfying–to me. Flows, covers so much territory effortlessly, doesn’t look…. crafted. The best kind.
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Thanks, Gary. It took me a while to complete this one, but I finally prevailed!
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Congrats, well written. Great work!
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Thank you, Michael.
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A beautifully crafted and atmospheric poem, I enjoyed immensely.
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You are very generous. Thank you.
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Beautiful Bob. I love washing dishes for the same reasons (except when it feels like a chore).
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Thanks, Mek. I particularly enjoy it in the evening, after I’ve cooked and eaten. Goofy, but there it is… 🙂
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That’s an endearing kinda goofy. I’m sure your wife loves that quality! 😊
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Well, I don’t receive many complaints…
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😊
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I read it out loud and loved the rhythm. So true, how mundane activities give us time to think and reflect and play. Often my thoughts get themselves organized while doing things that require no thought.
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Thank you, Susanne. I read aloud as I write, because rhythm is important to me. Of course this means I don’t write in public places too often. 🙂
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That’s a lovely, wonderful poem Robert. Congratulations.
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Thanks very much, Michael.
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Congrats, Robert… beautiful poem 🙂
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Thank you, Lori. Much appreciated.
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My pleasure, Robert 🙂
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Let it resonate, like every one of your poems, demanding recommence.
…Besides, the dishwasher’s rumble and whine numbs the soul.
On another [relevant, I hope] note, the name of this poem reminds me to take this opportunity to go out on a limb and ask you if you happen to have also written a piece called “Autobiography of Yes”? I’m hoping you’ll say yes, because I’ve been searching the internet for it for months. I’m yearning to read it over, and over again.
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Thank you for your kind words. Alas, I did not write “Autobiography of Yes,” although it sounds like something I might write. 🙂 Good luck in your search!
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It is my pleasure about the kind words. As for the other poem, my search continues. I will link it to you if I do find it, this coincidental antipode 🙂
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I hope you find it. I’d love to read it. Thanks again.
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Hi Robert! I am happy (exultant even) to not have not left the string of dialogue incomplete. I finally found the piece, here it is, hope you enjoy it. https://jeffschwaner.com/2015/10/05/autobiography-of-yes/
Reading them in succession, “Yes”, then “No”, is particularly satisfying… and doesn’t it just exemplify our bifurcations when faced with distress?
Cheers!
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It’s fitting that Jeff Schwaner wrote it – he’s one of my favorite poets. Thank you for pointing it out.
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Thank you for the blog ‘like’, Robert! I appreciate the poem and find the time spent reflecting over washing dishes to be truly useful. This line is great: “…none of the words I’ve conjured and shaped over decades and miles will extend their comfort.” Very true.
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You’re very welcome, and thank you for your kind words.
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Nice work, Robert. After reading some of it, I am honored that you lke what I did.
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Thank you, Ed. Much appreciated.
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Well done, congratulations!
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Thank you. It’s always a thrill.
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Thanks for the like on my site. This poem is beautiful. I like dishwashers though…..
Hope youve had a nice christmas.
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Thank you for writing, Kevin, and for visiting.
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Robert, thank you for drifting by nothingcluelesslost.com
Through your visit, my world opened towards a treasure trove of poetry I could not imagine. I am in awe at the abundant creativity and the surprises the universe dishes up on a daily basis since writing my blog.
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The breadth of amazing writing is incredible, isn’t it?
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So glad to see your wonderful work is being recognized, Robert!
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Thanks very much, Dianne!
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