My Dear Readers,
The purpose of this post is two-fold.
- To share with you some thoughts on poetry.
- To briefly give you more information about my upcoming poetry collection Woman: Splendor and Sorrow, Vita Brevis Press, release date July 31. 2021, and share with you one of my favorite poems included in this collection.
In an interview with New York Glamor Magazine, I stated: “Poetry is the magnificence which reflects upon the landscape of our souls.” My intent was neither to offer an exhaustive definition of poetry, nor to dive into the more complex realm of conceptualization, and try to explain of what poetry is composed. How arrogant of me that would have been. For those who did not get the news yet, arrogance is not sexy. It is not a precondition for talent and/or high intelligence.
However, back to my tentative definition of poetry. It suffices to say that, if one pays close attention to my words, the most obvious conclusion is that poetry is “out there” waiting to be recognized, and to reflect itself upon the landscape of our souls. Once recognized, the reflection happens only in the measure to which our souls can create a mirror image, albeit highly distorted and with the degree of distortion predicated on our sensibility.
As Nigel McLoughlin wrote: “Recognition depends not on linguistic criteria or on conscious thought, but on what is physically felt. It does not demand structure or form. It is beyond that.” [McLoughlin, Nigel F ORCID: 0000-0002-0382-6831 (2013) Writing Poetry. In: A Companion to Creative Writing. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 40-55]
Poetry is indeed beyond structure and form and, if I may, is “out there.” All of us are poets when that which we gather with our sense starts having an emotional and physical impact on us.
[draft – Thoughts on Poetry will continue in an interview with me conducted by Brian Geiger, the editor of Vita Brevis Poetry Magazine.]
Woman is a collection of 63 love poems and 25 pieces of poetic prose. I talked in another post about the feminist and philosophical trends in my poetic prose. However, the main theme of my book is love.
Therefore, in this post I would like to quickly turn to my love poems. Out of the 63 love poems included in Woman, “The Biblical Sense Of To Know” is my favorite. The poem was first published by Spillwords Press under one of my pen names: Gabriela M on March 10, 2020. Below is the original text of the poem as published by Spillwords. In Woman, the text was slightly modified.
the biblical sense of to know
born in a summer that never existed
nailed to the cross of your poems
I’m losing my mind inside the blue night
I reach you in dreams you do not understand
It hurts when I’m there
It hurts when I’m not
I ask for the help gravediggers can grant
I wrote I love you on a note that I locked
It wasn’t a snake, it was an iguana
the night the tango nuevo played its guitar
on fifteen decades I counted my prayers
my fingers were naked
my fingers were gloved
Why do I like this poem so much? Because in the moments I wrote it reality deeply reflected in the mirrors of my souls. I was hurting.
I do not believe poets know only that which comes “by observation of themselves.” The observation of ourselves is only one of the preconditions of poetry. The multiple faces of reality is perhaps another one.
my fingers were naked
my fingers were gloved
Those are simply two instances of the same thing.
I will talk to you more soon.
Thank you for reading.
Love to everyone.
@Gabriela Marie Milton
Dear Gabriela,
you must be right. By observing oneself, one may become such a strange voayer, certainly not a poet.
In order to write, I had to experience something..,with everything … but first of all you have to love someone so much that your heart breaks … writing on your own would be … a devastation … there is a story in every poem in the end , but you know it yourself, you know how it sometimes hurts, and it’s physical, even if for someone it’s ONLY words.
Your poem is…breathtaking.
Good luck, I wish you all the best for the new collection, let it find readers and me and me when I order it!
Have a nice day in the distance, someone bought all the roses in our ciry in Czech … and it was me! and I send them to you, thousands of swimmers led by the raft Kon Tiki have already set off … The Atlantic, what is the Atlantic when it comes to love and poetry? Just a small pool of water!
Have a nice day:)
Oh, my dearest friend, I am beyond humbled by your words and immensely grateful to you.
“you know how it sometimes hurts, and it’s physical, even if for someone it’s ONLY words.” I do my dear friend, I certainly do.
Thank you so much for the good wishes and for your support. Thank you for being here. It means the world to me.
Be well. Be loved. Write.
Sending you hugs, love, and roses for a magnificent evening.
xoxo
Thank you, Gabriela
Poetry also helps us survive.
Today I was in hospital on a CT scan of the brain, I had an iodine dropper in my vein to highlight the blood vessels , and when I was in the tunnel … and the green lights of the laser sensors danced to me … a poem about non exist and non tell Pandora’s sister, Hephaista, came to me, which Hepasistos just forged himself and didn’t tell Zeus … and now I’m writing it and I love it.
Thank God for Ideaspace, or the Land of Fantasy, where the verses come from … but: I had to go through hell because of this one poem, it burned like liquid iron in my veins … but I’m alive, I can love, write, long.
What more could we want?
Have a nice time Gabriela!
Maybe few minutes and im totally off…but i must write this poem first:)
You must be sleeping right now my dearest friend. I hope you felt well after the CT scan.
“Thank God for Ideaspace, or the Land of Fantasy, where the verses come from …” Oh, I hope you wrote one of the most beautiful poem ever. In fact I know it.
” but I’m alive, I can love, write, long.” I am happy you feel so. We all need to understand that life is the most precious thing we have.
Thank you for your kind wishes and have a wonderful day tomorrow. Be well. Write. Dream.
Sending more love your way.
xoxoxo
I like your simple definition of poetry. Poetry has a magnificence that “reflects upon the landscape of our souls” as it radiates and encapsulates, captures and releases, excites and calms, embraces and pushes away our manifold emotions, and ever changing states of being when we write poetry, read poetry, recite poetry, and listen to poetry.
Oh, Timothy, thank you from the bottom of my heart. “as it radiates and encapsulates, captures and releases, excites and calms, embraces and pushes away our manifold emotions, and ever changing states of being when we write poetry, read poetry, recite poetry, and listen to poetry.” Absolutely stunning. I treasure your beautiful words.
I treasure your beautiful poetry. Give your darling kitties hugs and kisses for me.
Thank you so much. We are sending hugs and love to everyone.
xoxo
Hi from Czech…. These word of Yours:
,, ever changing states of being when we write poetry, read poetry, recite poetry, and listen to poetry.”
Yes,
It is a different way of existence, reality, being. It has such a charm … it’s addictive.
Yes, I’m addicted on Poetry.
Yes. I love it.
“Yes, I’m addicted on Poetry.” I am so happy to hear that. It really touches my soul.
“It is a different way of existence, reality, being.” Indeed, it is.
You are a wonderful poet and a wonderful person.
Sending you more love and magic..
xoxo
Poetry is addictive, and offers us ways to explore alternate realities.
Is does, doesn’t it?
“Recognition depends not on linguistic criteria or on conscious thought, but on what is physically felt. It does not demand structure or form. It is beyond that.”
I would also add that poetry can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the perspective of the reader.
Hi Rob, it’s so great to hear from you. Thank you so much for your great comment. Of course the perspective of the reader is very important You are talking to a post-modernist 🙂 Reality do reflect itself differently in our souls: “the degree of distortion predicated on our sensibility.” My way of saying it.
I hope everything is well with you Rob. Thank you again for being here.
xoxo
I enjoyed reading this post. I liked your definition of poetry. Thank you for sharing your poem.
Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful comment. It made my day.
xoxo
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on poetry and your beautiful poem 🙏 it is a subject very close to my heart ❤️
Thank you so much for the appreciation Ingrid. Sending you lots of love. Enjoy the rest of your day.
xoxo
Poetry is an art. And any form of art I feel, is a medium to express what you feel, what others feel, and also what we don’t feel. The beauty of any art lies in surrendering yourself to it. If you surrender yourself to dance, it feels liberating. If you surrender yourself to poetry, it is magical.
Any form of art has so many interpretations. Be it a poem, a dance, a song or a painting, each person who experiences it, interprets it in so many different ways.
“All of us are poets when that which we gather with our sense starts having an emotional and physical impact on us.”
I absolutely agree with you.
Coming to the poem, it is so gorgeous dear Gabriela. I can’t pick a favourite line because all are so beautifully thought out.
“my fingers were naked
my fingers were gloved
Those are simply two instances of the same thing.”
So beautiful. So very beautiful.
Even though, I won’t be able to buy your book I am very eager for it to get out on the 31st of July. I will be sure to spread the word around❤
Love and hugs to you🥰💕
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment sweetheart. Taking time to read my post and to write such a thoughtful and wonderful reply means a lot to me. You are a great supporter of my work and for that I cannot thank you enough.
“I will be sure to spread the word around” You rely brought tears in my eyes. Thank you so much sweetie. Be happy. Be safe. Take good care of yourself.
xoxo
Oh dear Gabriela, it is absolutely my pleasure. I consider myself lucky to have met you through WP and to read your magnificent work.
🥰🤗😁💕😍🌹
I m lucky I met you sweetheart.
xoxoxo…
🥰🌹🤗
Maybe we can’t define poetry but the landscape of our souls can’t get any closer to defining it.
Hi hon, thank you so much for your wonderful comment. I really cherish it. You know I am thinking about you. I hope the sun is out and you are enjoying a bit. As much as possible..
Sending love
xoxoxo..
It is, finally. B got sick, but we’re still enjoying it. Playing, reading, spending some quality time together.
That’s great to hear hon. I hope B gets better soon. Give him a big kiss from me.
xoxo
Will do. Hugs.
🌹
Oh the poetry definition is quite true! I love it dear Gabriela. ❤️❤️ And the poem is truly amazing. It hurts when I’m there, It hurts when I’m not…. You know how to give the reader, your thoughts so transparent! Beautifully penned 👏👏👏
Thank you so much my dearest friend. You are a gem. I deeply appreciate your wonderful words and the praise.
Sending you love and good wishes.
May the rest of your week be beautiful.
May you be happy.
xoxo
Dearest Gabriela,
This is one of my favorites poems. Such a thought provoking piece and every line so beautifully written. The way you describe how you feel about poetry and writing is lovely. It sounds like you had such a profound reaction to what your mother said to you and that you realized many things that day. Thank you for sharing that precious information with us, your readers.
There are so many things that we feel, future, past and present moments that have an impact on our life. Our thoughts and feelings including love gets mixed into the essence of what we have experienced.
Still I find your poetry very unique and incredibly beautiful and it transports me immediately to a different place. I so look forward to your next book as it’s sister book is lonely on the shelf, but patiently waiting. Thank you for all the information you have shared in your interviews which I have appreciated so much.
Love, Joni
My dearest honeybun, thank you for such a beautiful comment. Your support and your kindness warms my heart. How many times did I say that? I said it many times and I am going to say it again because it is true.
“Our thoughts and feelings including love gets mixed into the essence of what we have experienced.” Indeed.
” I find your poetry very unique and incredibly beautiful and it transports me immediately to a different place. I so look forward to your next book as it’s sister book is lonely on the shelf, but patiently waiting.” You really made my evening. You are an angel.
Sending love and blessings
G (Button)
It is my pleasure Beautiful Button. I mean every word. I am so excited to read each piece. I will find a lovely place to enjoy your amazing pieces. This is a gift to myself which I will not share with anyone the first time I read your book.
Sending you lots of love, and prayers for many blessings. The book will sell itself dear Button.
Love,
(J) honeybun ❤️🤗🌹😘💕🦋🦋🌺🌸🌻
Your soul on display here gives me a greater appreciation of art!
Thank you Jaya. That’s such a wonderful compliment.
xoxo
Thus spake the goddess of poetry! Poetry can be defined in so many ways yet remains indefinable.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful poem, Gabriela. I was off WP in March so missed reading it. ❤️🌷❤️
Oh, my goodness, Punam, you are beyond kind. I don’t know that I am the goddess of poetry but I really know I am deeply grateful for your friendship. Thank you so much for your beautiful words. Thank you for being you.
xoxo
For me you are. 🥰
It is an honour to call you a friend. My deepest pleasure. ❤️🌷
“Poetry is indeed beyond structure and form…” Could not agree more. Be well, dear G!
Thank you for your kind comment Brad. I really appreciate it. Be well too. Have a beautiful evening.
xoxo
I loved your definition of poetry, it rings so true. Your post is very enjoyable and engaging to read, makes me think of how poetry cones to be – it just so wonderfully gives expression to layers and layers of our feelings, sometimes polar opposite ones that are true at the same time. You demonstrate all of it so beautifully!
I am so humbled by your beautiful comment. It means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
xoxoxoxo…
🙏🏼💛
xoxo
Eres una poeta, Gabriela. Me gustó tu definición de poesía. Te felicito y reconozco tu obra.
Gracias por el cumplido, Santiago. Me alegra que pienses así.
xoxo
Mereces todo el reconocimiento, Gabriela. Mucho éxito en todo.
Really beautiful poems. And deeply beautiful thoughts about poetry.
My most sincere thanks. I am so glad you enjoyed the post.
xoxo
this was so much appreciated Gabriella and it gives me insight into what is sometimes abstract to me in poetry.
💖
“back to my tentative definition of poetry. It suffices to say that, if one pays close attention to my words, the most obvious conclusion is that poetry is “out there” waiting to be recognized, and to reflect itself upon the landscape of our souls. Once recognized, the reflection happens only in the measure to which our souls can create a mirror image, albeit highly distorted and with the degree of distortion predicated on our sensibility.”
Thank you so much for sharing this so I can get a window into your work. I love your poem as well.
I never intended to write poetry and as you know I do now and again and it just comes out. It’s very straight forward but they are words of my heart that want to be shared. I often think I wish I could write like you where the words dance on the page, elusive in thought and beauty to be interpreted however each person feels them. It’s a joy to know your intended meanings and to learn from you. thank you.
💖💖💖💖
My dearest Cindy, I don’t have enough words to thank you for your wonderful comment. It means a lot to me you took the time to write a comment that comes straight from your heart.
“I never intended to write poetry and as you know I do now and again and it just comes out. ” I am so happy you started writing poetry, Cindy.
“It’s very straight forward but they are words of my heart that want to be shared.” This is it. All you need to do is to be you, so we can get a glimpse in your wonderful heart this time via poetry.
“I wish I could write like you” No, Cindy. Write like you. Be you. We all love you and admire you. People look for Cindy in your poetry, not for me.
You are an angel. Have a beautiful Friday and a wonderful weekend.
Love
G.
Now it’s me who has tears in my eyes sweet Gabriella! Thank you for your reflections and I’m glad my words touched your heart.
I truly appreciate your kind comment and reflecting back to me the value in writing from my heart. “God” speaks, I listen and write and I expect it is like that with all of us who write.
Awww thanks my friend and you do the same. 💖💖🙏🙏🌷🌷🌷
“I listen and write and I expect it is like that with all of us who write.” It is indeed.
Thank you for your wonderful words, Cindy.
Sending huge hugs.
xoxo
Beautiful
Thank you my dear.
xoxo
Welcome
Poetry is one way to show how much knowledge you have about words and to express feelings in less word.
Poetry is ‘out there’ and we try to make sense of it in words! Thank you for this and for writing a poetry book!
Thank you so much for reading and for your wonderful comment.
xoxo
Quel superbe poème, Gabriela… And I really appreciated your thoughts on poetry. 🌹🌹🌹
Merci infiniment, Francine.
xoxoxo..
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and poetry!
Oh, my pleasure. Thank you so much for reading.
Congratulations on your upcoming poetry collection! ❤
Thank you so much my dear. Your words mean a lot to me 🥰🌹❤️
What a lovely post, dear Gabriela; and, your love poem speaks to me deeply. I get a deep resonance of the pain that lives inside of the many faceted paradoxes of life.
“It hurts when I’m there
It hurts when I’m not”
“my fingers were naked
my fingers were gloved”
To me, these four lines tell a very important tale of pain as reality dawns. I love your work, my dear friend. xoxoxo
My dearest Jeff, thank you so much for your wonderful comment. It means a lot to me. I am glad it resonates with you.
Jeff, it’s funny you commented at the same time I was trying to leave a comment on your most recent poem and I could not. WP would let me do it. I am going to go to your site via this notification. We’ll se what happens.
Thank you again my friend and have a beautiful weekend.
xoxoxo
I cannot leave a comment. I don’t know why.
Here is what I wanted to write:
“Such a wonderful poem Jeff. Profound and brilliantly composed.
Bravo. You rock. ”
You do.
xoxo
Oh my, I had no idea, dear Gabriela. I am so pleased that your comment did come through. WP is odd sometimes. I didn’t get notification of these two replies from you. Anyway. You’re most welcome, my dearest friend; thank you for supporting my work. Reading your comment a second time has made my day; and, thank you for being exactly as you are. I appreciate you very much. Sending love. xoxoxo
Thank you so much Jeff.
Lots of love right back to you.
xoxo
I so admire your ability to fluidly create such lyricism with your poetry, Gabriela. Many, many good wishes with the forthcoming book – I wish you every success. Poetry is the magnificence which reflects upon the landscape of our souls resonated with me – I wish I had your talent with words. K x
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am beyond humbled by your comment. Your words are breathtaking. I feel like a little kid staring at a box of delicious candy and asking: Is that for me? Are your gorgeous words really for me?
thank you again. Sending love.
xoxoxo
💞 You deserve every word!
Thank you again 🥰🌹❤️🥰🌹🌹
I love your “tentative definition of poetry,” Gabriela. That whole paragraph is exquisite and I love the idea of it as an attempt to reflect what is out there. Poetry is a translation in every language, isn’t it? And a lovely poem about hurting. Yes, talk to me some more. <3 <3
Diana, you are a gem. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. I am glad you liked my tentative definition. I do not think poetry is something that belongs exclusively to poets. I find poetry in your novels.
“Poetry is a translation in every language, isn’t it?” You know it is.
Sending love and huge hugs.
Thank you again.
Have a lovely weekend.
xoxo
<3
Looking forward to read your new book ❤️
Thank you Andrada. I am very grateful to you. Sending lots of love. I hope everything is well.
xoxoxo
Sending you the same G❤️
Thank you 🌹❤️
Ah, the more you delve into it, the more the depth of that definition envelops you. I see a beautiful landscape lit in parts by the magnificent sun, as the other parts, shunned by the sun-rays, sleep in shadow, waiting for their turn; for it’s the light that reveals the poetry, the light that illuminates what’s within the vast expanse of the landscape/soul.
G, you are unparalleled!
Isha, my dear, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your beautiful comment. Your words and the image they create are stunning.
Your paise made me blush sweetheart. Know you are unparalleled too 🥰🌹❤️🥰🌹🌹
You deserve every bit of it! So inspirational ❤️🌹
Thank you so much 😊
My pleasure sweetheart and thank you again 🥰🌹❤️
❤️🌹💕😘
So much wisdom and beauty in this post. The realisation of the self and the surroundings can be such a liberating feeling. Its miraculous discovery flows through words. A creative gift.🙂
I love how you describe poetry. And it is with great anticipation that your new collection is coming out in just 1 week…..
Sweetheart, I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your continuous support. It means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sending tons of love and blessings 🙏🥰🌹❤️🥰🌹❤️
💚💚
🙏🌹🥰
tenderly and beautifully said Gabriela. poetry read and witnessed by the heart first before it becomes head knowledge. only happens when the words of the poet moves us beyond our limited understanding. I so so love how you express these important things. again, congratulations on your publication.
Gina, thank you so much for your lovely words and for the praise. I truly love what you said “only happens when the words of the poet moves us beyond our limited understanding.”
My love and my best wishes for a great week ahead.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
xoxoxo
Beautifully informative narrative and lovely poetry Gabriela. Congratulations on your success, so well deserved. ❤️🌹
My dearest Rene, you are an angel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sending love.
Have a fabulous week ahead.
xoxo
Yes poetry is subjective. It reflects us and our feelings. I have a Novalis quote on my website that says “Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.” It really does Gabriella! Congratulations on another book ☺️🌺🌺
Hi Christine, thank you so much for your lovely comment.
“I have a Novalis quote on my website that says “Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.” I know you have that quote on your site hon and I know it’s true. Your beautiful writing and your deep belief helps all of us.
Thank you for the congrats.
Tons of love and good wishes to you.
xoxoxo…
wow such a fantastic poem and thoughts .. I am looking forward to reading this whole book .. needing a
Oops 😙got distracted sorry hit send .. needing a fresh perspective on poetry and this post was a good start in the right direction 🙂 thank you
Thank you so much for your beautiful words and your support. They mean a lot to me.
“got distracted sorry hit send” No problems. It happens to me too 🙂
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Yours
Gabriela.
Oh my Gabriel did I not leave a comment on this!? I love this piece,,and I totally agree about everything you said about poetry and being a poet..That’s the key and the magic, and the secret all wrapped up in your essay. When we learn to tap into that..our poetry begins to flow..at any age and stage in our lives…I can’t wait to order your book:):) I LOVE your poetry!..and your generous soul..❤️🌹🤗💐
My dearest Karima, I am so sorry for my late reply. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful words. You are kind, supportive, talented, and I am really in debt to you.
“When we learn to tap into that..our poetry begins to flow..at any age and stage in our lives…” Indeed hon.
Thank you again for everything. Have a fabulous week ahead.
xoxo
Beautiful…
My most sincere thanks.
xoxo
Oh, Gabriela, this is so true and beautiful! God has blessed you with magical yet divine thoughts!
“My fingers were naked
My fingers were gloved” was effortless and my favourite line!
And you are so correct about observing reality as a whole instead just ourselves! Your thoughts are exquisite! ❤️
Dishita, dear, thank you again and again.
“God has blessed you with magical yet divine thoughts!” I am so humbled by these words. I have tears in my eyes. Thank you again. You left me breathless. .
Glad you love those lines.
Sending you tons of love. Have a magical week ahead sweetheart.
xoxoxo…
I love the line ‘I reach you in dreams you do not understand’. It is a powerful image and one that is so closely related to how heartbreak affects us.
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment 🌹🌺
I enjoy every line of this poetry.
FYI: just set my reminder for 31st July! I can’t wait💃❤🇳🇬
Oh, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sending huge hugs
xoxo
Thank you for sharing your poetry with us😊I loved every second of it ❤️ It made my day!
Thank you so much for your kind words.
xoxo
Thank you for this dear.
Looking forward to your next post.
Thank you so much for your kind comment 🌹🥰❤️
Pleasure is mine.
🙂
Hi
Actually this was the most beautiful part of this for me
“All of us are poets when that which we gather with our sense starts having an emotional and physical impact on us.”
Thank you so much my dear. I am so glad you enjoyed that part 🌹
Gorgeous blog
Thank you so much dear.
Poetry is creation of thought, poet thinking,imagination, how to observe universe and message to build thought to people.
Poetry give us peaceful life.
Thank you for your wonderful thoughts.
Thanks for reply.
🙂
Amazing
Thank you!
Liked your post… poetry is something which comes from heart… Best way to express your inner self…
Thank you for your kind words and for your comment dear.
xoxo
Fantastic poem! Wonderful thoughts and analysis of poetry. I love how open and complete your writing encapsulates both the inner and outer of the human psyche and emotional experiences. Congratulations on your book as well!
Thank you for your beautiful words Jay. They made my heart sing 🎶 Enjoy the rest of your week 🙏🌹🌸