Saturday, April 17, 2004

Poetry Definition #4

Poem:
4. Any creation, object, or experience thought to embody the lyrical beauty or structural perfection characteristic of poetry.

In my own words, for my own use: "Anything created or existing or experienced that puts in physical form the level of beauty and perfection you would put into writing poetry."

Examples:

The Parthenon - even in ruin it is still a poem in stone.

When I scuba'd through an immense cloud of sardines in an undersea cave, guarded by two huge tarpon, that was a poem in light and motion.

The 1976 Olympics, when little Nadya scored a 10 for her gymnastics routine, the first time a perfect score was ever awarded in an Olympic event. That was a poem of effortlessness.

Every Faberge egg I have seen pictures of is a poem of gemstones and whimsy.

Falling Water, the house by F. L. Wright, somehow doesn't quite make it as a poem of architecture, despite his many fans who would argue it does. There's something wrong with it, perhaps the lack of any warmth... (I've toured the house he made in the park in Hollywood -- it's a tourist attraction now -- I found it foreboding, too.)

(Note: Only the derivation is left of the word "poem" -- next time! Then we start on other related words. Isn't this fun!)

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