Poetry & Wine: It’s All Interpretation
This morning had me thinking about/in poetry on my walk, so I thought I’d share some. The one I have in mind is a rewrite of one of my favorite poems “Variations on the Word Sleep” by Margaret Atwood. When I was teaching English 102 back in the day, this was one poem I offered the class to analyze. We discussed how it could be viewed as 1) very tender or 2)kinda creepy/stalker-ish… and many ways in between. Poetry is subjective, just as wine is. It’s what we bring to/take from it as individuals with our own experiences and tastes that affects perception.
But that class got me thinking and I went home and rewrote the poem with the #2 interpretation in mind. And this is what I got: Deviation on the Personal Wake-Up Call. Not about wine all that much, but I found the one reference appropriate, what with all my sparkling wine mentions over the past week.
p.s. I’m no crazy stalker, drinkers and readers, so don’t think I wrote my version from personal experience.
poetry, Margaret Atwood, Variations on the Word Sleep
….Farley Walker
February 23rd, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Wow Farley. I loved the Atwood link and your version was fantastic!
Thanks for the great post!
Neelima
February 23rd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Glad you liked it. It’s one I’m really proud of…
February 25th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
I like it - but it strangely reminds me of something I read by Christopher Moore…
February 27th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
I had never read the original poem by Atwood - I had to read it couple times, but it grew on me with each reading. As for your poem, I like the Southern voice you add to it. I certainly see the parallel to the original. I had to reread the blog to remember that you were taking on the stalker perspective (glad it’s not personal, I almost asked but saw your disclaimer). I agree that wine and poetry are both up to interpretation of the individual, but interpretations can change. The first time I read the Atwood poem it did seem stalker-ish. The second and third time it seemed more sweet and tender, like you loved this person so much you didn’t want to leave them even in sleep (not to mention sleep is SUPER personal). Same with wine, you think you taste something but at the mention of another flavor you immediately taste that too. Or the flavor changes as you have more sips… A fine metaphor, Farley! This teacher gives you a gold star.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:29 am
El Jefe, Christopher Moore has been on my list to authors to read (except I have a huge fine at the library now), so I’ll take it as a compliment.
Alisha, Thanks for the gold star! And the nice analysis.