who cares, anyway?
Met twelve busy people
On the street, today
They all asked how I was
I said: I'm OK
I'm really NOT
I said it, anyway
I said it, because
It's what I'm
EXPECTED to say.
Comments
Poetry is a passionate place, which all these comments clearly show. I was drawn back to this conversation as you left a copy of your comment on my wall Tommy, I love your appreciation and care of other's work, which I feel your comments show. I think sometimes Don may be misunderstood in his humour but would probably not even comment at all if he had not felt Chyrstal's poem.
I'd say Graham was highlighting a very typically English saying about to not going into depth of your true feeling in response to a question. Adam was sharing his interpretation at the time.
I can understand why at first glance Tommy felt as he did, but well done to Chrystal for creating such a powerful piece. The title asks who cares? And as the conversation progressed we have thankfully discovered that we all do care actually, by the emotions that have been evoked here.
All in all turned out nicely! Rx
Tommy.
I think I went a bit off the mark here. Unfairly. I was just playing the role of what many people do. Saying they like something cos that's what's expected.
Chrystel and I know each other well enough to know I was not saying it 'cause it was expected. If something doesn't appeal to me I just don't comment or like.
I'm sorry if I led you 'up the garden path' with my so-called 'negative' comment.
ps. I think that I may have missed some of the finer points made by Don, Adam and Graham. Apologies if I have.
tc
Right, apologies Chrystel was in a rush before and only had time to put a brief comment on. As I said before though, I like the poem, and love the shaping and spacing, the way it adds a descending pause to the whole piece.
Sometimes in life, people ask you stuff out of politeness, or because it's, "The done thing," and sometimes they ask out of concern, and sometimes even the ones who genuinely do care have so much going on in their lives that if you say you're ok, they will be forced to say, "You sure? OK." And I think that your poem , in a few well placed words does a great job of expressing both sides of that coin. Really, very good.
J. x
Confused as to how I got lumped into the negative comment category I have never put a negative comment on anyone's poem and certainly didn't mean my asking about the 12 to be at all negative I thought it was really cool the idea and everything else about the poem so really not sure why that was said about me and it's not that important to me about the person who said it but I certainly don't want the poet to misinterpret my comment so Chrystal deepest apologies if anything in my comment seemed negative and if someone were to look through all the comments that I make and I make a lot of comments they could see that I've never said anything negative so that really bummed me out
I appreciate all the likes and comments my poem received.
I was inspired to write it, after reading this message on a inspirational card:
‘Sometimes when I say I'm OK, I want someone to look me in the eyes, hug me tight and say: I know you're not.'
Forgive me if I'm being schmaltzy, but I think that, deep down, we can all relate to those words.
Really really good. Love the shaping as well.
J. x
Devon Brock
Fri 30th Aug 2019 19:52
Chrystal,
I think the form of this poem adds quite a bit to the thoughts presented here. The distance between reality and expectation. What does courtesy allow? Is the question "How are you" ever sincerely asked? If we answer honestly, are we breaking the rules of civil society? If we did answer honestly, every time, I think there could be a great deal of healing. Thanks for this.
D
What is the point that Don, Adam and Graham are hoping to achieve with their negative simplicity?
Am i losing something?
I appreciate the points from Ruth.
Surely Chrystel has a valid point.
Why the negativity folks?
Tommy
ps. I think that I may have missed some of the finer points made by Don, Adam and Graham. Apologies if I have.
Love how you've arranged this poem, makes it interesting to look at...and it's true half the people asking how you are hardly even stick around to hear your reply!
There’s a saying where I’m from that states ‘if you can’t say anything nice (positive) say nothing at all’.
Hi Chrystal..
Wondered if you chose 12 as a jury number and if they were asking to pass judgement on your answer's veracity...at least thats what I imagined
I like it Chrystel. I say this cos this is what I'm expected to say......
I could say I HATE IT but this would be rockin' the boat and not in a good WOL spirit. A not nice thing to do. So I'll say what's expected of me. Nice one Chrystel.....
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Don Matthews
Sat 31st Aug 2019 11:42
Thankyou Ruth
I am very careful who I flippant humour with. You need to get to know me and not misinterpret me. Chrystel knows me. I always wear my heart on my sleeve