Becoming a poet, continuation from my commentary on my poem "Gifts"">Becoming a poet, continuation from my commentary on my poem "Gifts"
Published March 17, 2009 | 
">Bruce WhealtonLet me continue with my discussion on becoming and the subsequent idea of being a poet, which I began with a prior posting here entitled “Comments on my poem ‘Gifts’”
I had started to explore my interest in poetry, some time in 1991 when I had a mentor by the name of Martin Kirby. I would visit him on Sunday’s and read some of my own poetry, get guidance, and listen to poetry that he wrote and we’d read poetry from famous poets. His wife was there as well, Peggy. These were somewhat like “readings” but at the time I had never read to a group of strangers. I knew them from the church that my parents and I attended. My mother had said to Martin that I was interested in poetry. So, I guess I had started to think of myself as a poet back in 1991. Martin was a professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at Paine College in Augusta, GA.
It was the advice and support that I got from Martin that helped me see myself as a poet in the making. He offered so many suggestions, guidelines and more. He would also tell me if and when a poem was “publishable.” He also strongly pushed the notion of many, multiple revisions in writing poetry.
Poetic Crimes – Poem by Bruce Whealton">Poetic Crimes – Poem by Bruce Whealton
Published March 16, 2009 | ">Bruce WhealtonPoetic Crimes
I think there ought to be punishments,
upon those who misuse poetry.
Two sins,
two wrongs
in the use of poetry.
One is to claim to have written,
something written by another -
to plagiarize…
a wrong deserving of shame
or that one should be shamed by others
if caught.
These things should not go unpunished!
It is more than just a theft -
there is a greater wrong involved
because of the sacredness of poetry.
I think God gives us this
as some divine gift.
As a Christian, I’ve had somewhat
specific ideas about certain things.
The Muse, as they say,
I believe to be something of the essence of
God or perhaps we can represent her
as an angel – but still she is
an essence of God.
There is another serious wrong
or sin
and that is to lie with poetry.
One need not bare one’s self too much,
or reveal that which is private,
or over-expose oneself.
That is a reasonable right of any poet.
No poet though, should ever knowingly
use poetry in a deceptive fashion…
to create a poem that is false…
that should be a serious sin.
I have been the victim of this sin,
this wrongful use of poetry.
She had chosen to deceive me
with a poem on Valentine’s day.
She got the idea that she needed to make me think
that she loved me.
To use me.
The poet in me feels a certain
fury for her use of a poem
in this fashion…
she claimed herself that it was a poor poem.
So what.
What was wrong, so wrong,
was to use poetry
in the commission of this deception.
There ought to be punishments
for those who invite the Muses
to deceive
and create false
and abusive
poetry.
Bruce Whealton March 16, 2009
Prayer for Comfort – by Bruce Whealton">Prayer for Comfort – by Bruce Whealton
Published March 16, 2009 | ">Bruce Whealton“Now lay back in the chair,
resting your feet in the chair in front of you,
begin with a few deep breaths,
breathing in relaxation
breathing out tension
becoming more
and more
relaxed.”
Sister Jean was guiding us
in a new way
to pray.
I had come for comfort
and consolation -
I was grieving and needed
a mother a heavenly
Mother
who would hold me in her arms.
She continued,
“Now begin to feel yourself resting
in the arms of God.
Let go relax
deeper and deeper you drift
into re-lax-a-tion.
Feel yourself supported
in the arms
of a loving compassionate
God…
Held close,
softly.
A God that listens
and understands
and cares.
Look into her eyes” -
Did she say ‘her’ eyes?
I asked myself… that was what I was hearing.
“Tell her what you are feeling.”
Take all the time you need
now, to be with your God,
in her arms,
comforted in a state of complete
relaxation.”
This is what I remember…
Like it was yesterday.
Someone from church reminded me of this.
Bruce Whealton – March 15, 2009
John Marshall Announces some new publications – check them out.">John Marshall Announces some new publications – check them out.
Published February 6, 2009 | ">Bruce WhealtonThe following is a quote, verbatim, from John Marshall:
“Poetry web site Rainbow has been assign a permanent domain at http://rainbowpoetry.net
Until now, Rainbow was being published as a sub domain of another web site. Rainbow, under its new domain, will not ‘go live’ until next week; but I’m accepting submissions now for poetry written for or about children.
I don’t know how many of you have seen or read the news about the spectacular ditching of a passenger jet yesterday in The Hudson River and about the miraculous rescue of all passengers and crew. Gov. Patterson of New York said yesterday, “We had the Miracle On 34th Street [a film], now we have a miracle on The Hudson.”
I was so inspired by the incident that I’m creating a web site dedicated to all the courageousness people involved. Miracle On The Hudson, once created, will be published at http://hudson-miracle.org This web site will publish poems written about the incident itself and poems inspired by any acts of bravery and courage. Once the web site has been created I will contact the governor of New York and Capt Sullenberger (the pilot of Flight 1549) to let them know where the site is so they can go there themselves and read the poetry.”
Memories and Wishes – Poem by Bruce Whealton">Memories and Wishes – Poem by Bruce Whealton
Published January 18, 2009 | ">Bruce WhealtonMemories and Wishes
What do these memories mean?
How can I know that my memories are true
and real?
Sometimes it seems
that these are just
the stories that I tell,
(the stories that I tell myself
so I won’t forget)
about what was
and what I’ve lost
and what I desire back
from the past -
I don’t know if
anyone cares or listens
The characters in some of these stories
are gone – some dead now.
So, I alone tell my stories
without anyone to verify their truth.
Was it real?
My brother, once for a while
like a best friend
now I don’t even have a brother.
If dreams are a form of wish fulfillment,
as Freud said,
then perhaps ,
in that state of mind,
when and where I write
my poems,
is a road to my unconscious.
Then in another memory
Grandma says, “don’t hurt Bruce.”
“But I’m bad,” the 10-year-old
Bruce thought.
It’s unfortunate that she is
but a memory.
How I miss that love!
How I miss her!
- Bruce Whealton 2009
Note on above: Freud called dreams the “Royal Road To The Unconscious.” Healing and health came from gaining awareness of unconscious, repressed thoughts or desires. In some of my poems it seems that I am letting the Muse speak to freely and offer insights or increased awareness of things that were hidden.
Winter Haiku #1 – 1/18/09 – Poem by Bruce Whealton">Winter Haiku #1 – 1/18/09 – Poem by Bruce Whealton
Published January 17, 2009 | ">Bruce WhealtonFeeling numb -
my face where
tears have frozen
Posted in Bruce Whealton, Online Poetry, poem | 
Haiku, Online Poetry, poem, poetry by Bruce Whealton | 
Leave a commentI want to see God – Poem by Bruce Whealton">I want to see God – Poem by Bruce Whealton
Published January 13, 2009 | ">Bruce WhealtonI want to see God.
It seems just like yesterday…
I can’t be more than 5 years old…
I have to reach up to touch
the handrail.
Looking down,
I see the Church crowd below…
and a man is speaking,
(since then, I learned,
that was our priest)
then it’s quiet
And looking down in awe
I ask “Is that God?”
People turn to me,
looking up from below
Mom and Dad are laughing
at me.
I was usually so quiet.
I remember that.
They pull me back to my seat,
saying “sh”
but they didn’t answer me.
I just wanted to see God
but I was afraid to get up.
2009 – Bruce Whealton
Jean Jones, co-editor Word Salad, receives award!">Jean Jones, co-editor Word Salad, receives award!
Published January 8, 2009 | ">Bruce WhealtonThe following information was posted by Joe Miller, on the Wilmington Star News Blog. Reference information is listed below.
"Wilmington poet Jean Jones will receive the Ethel N. Fortner Writer and Community Award from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg. Jones will be one of four writers and artists who will be honored in the 23rd annual Fortner Awards presentation Thursday (Nov. 13) on the St. Andrews campus.
‘This award recognizes persons who have been outstanding contributors to the writing community, creating a very real, positive community dynamic," said Ron Bayes, writer-in-residence at St. Andrews and chairman of the awards committee, in a prepared statement. "Our recipients this year could not be more deserving for their work in bringing artistic greatness to the lazrger community.’"
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