Sameen
While words are important, I believe Intent is even more so
2023-12-18

Ingvar Loco Nordin
I disagree 100% - or maybe 50%... Words are of course important. Any reader hears the word differently from anyone else. The reader or listener constructs meaning, often of the word (singularis) - but more commonly of lines stacked above and below each other. Look at almost any semi-late Dylan song: He finds rhymes that he wants to use, but care not one bit about the sense the lines make in a verse, or together with the other verses. WE construct that meaning, make those individual verses into a story, no matter how diffuse, and then we have a song.
Personally, maybe one in a hundred of my poems have any intent. I certainly did not have any intent, except in the rare case. Intent, I think, makes a poem a text for a placard in a picket line. I want my poem to be free, I don't want anything to do with it. Maybe if I meet it one day on the street I will nod to it, or even shake hand, if that is what is asked of me. But intent is an ugly word in my mouth...
2023-12-14

D G Moody
Truly so. In he beginning was the word.
2023-12-11

one trick pony
I've been thinking about this all morning. When otp writes, I don't think she does write with intent so much as whim; or, curiosity as to where the pen will take her.
2023-12-11

Lawrence Beck
Yes, with poetry, words are very important, their meanings, their sounds, also their freshness, but I have to agree with Ken. Once the words reach the ears and eyes of others, their writer's intent no longer matters.
2023-12-11

ken d williams
But, it is how the writer's words are interpreted, and understood, misinterpreted, or misunderstood, Allan. Kafker, book: The Trial, he wrote, as a comedy. Yet it read as a serious comment on society, a political comment. And is still is today. Kafker had to finaly exsep his book as others were reading his book. He just gave up trying to explain, it was satire, a comedy.
Ken D.
2023-12-11