Advise To Old Prufrock

[Tinker]

Just my reaction after reading T.S. Eliot's  The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock

Advice to old Prufrock

You prowl the streets at night
haunting skid row dives.|
The catlike yellow fog clouds your mind
and lulls your soul to sleep.

The women may speak|
of another hero,
it is no matter,
jealousy diminishes.
You have known them,
yet still they distract.
You, not they
decide your course.

The clock ticks steadily
but it hasn't stopped.
Fear and doubt freeze the spirit
just as hope opens the door
and allows artistry to flow freely.

Step away from the dusk
and walk into the dawn.
The mermaids sing for you
if you just open your heart.

Dare
to take pen in hand
and you may find
some will listen.
           ------ Judi Van Gorder

[tonyv]

It's exciting to read someone's reaction, in the form of an answer, to another's poem, especially to this classic. I don't think any two would be alike. I enjoyed reading yours, Tink.

 

Tony

[Tinker]

Thanks for reading Tony. This is one of the first poems I studied "in depth". In reading the so many commentaries that have been written about it, I am not sure I ever really "got it". My poem was my attempt at making sense of it all. Funny, Eliot's poem as you say is a classic. I didn't even like it the first dozen or so times I read it. I have since changed my mind, not because it makes total sense to me nor because I relate to it, but because it has had such an impact on millions of readers. My response to it as you have seen is a kind of frustration, I read it and want to say to the poet, "get over yourself and use your gifts to get on with your life".

 

~~Tink

[dr_con]

Marvelous! Tinker! You inspired me to re-read the poem for the first time in over 20 years. Your reflection is well crafted and to the point, and in a sense- exactly what Eliot intended... Very impressed and it inspired me to write one myself- Very, very nice!

 

Many Thanks!

 

DC&J

[Tinker]

Hi DC, I am glad I could bring you a little inspiration. I do this a lot, write poems inspired by something I've read. I read a book about writing poetry and wrote a haiku for each chapter.

#70 7/28/03

disguise intention
with cloak and smoke
poet's secret tool
          ---- A Poet's Companion Chpt 9 Metaphor/Simile

#69 7/16/03

reds and blues splash page
beside prickly surface of salt
taste the words
            --- A Poet's Companion Chpt 8 Image

#68 7/9/03

lush fern carpet trails
invade giant redwood groves|
coastal mountain home
              --A Poet's Companion Chpt 7 Poems of Place

#64 7/1/03

shrieks and sirens
word pictures spark intellect
injustice exposed
                --- A Poet's Companion # 6 Witness

[badger11]

Pleased you dared to write a reaction Tink. Obviously led me to re-visit the musical genius of Eliot, but also enjoyed your slant with the threading to the original. Personally I find some morality in Prufrock's tiredness.

 

badge

[Benjamin]

Hello Tink. A bold piece of work. It's never easy to assimilate and comment meaningfully on the work of great poets. I suppose that's what sets them apart and why their work prevails. A point of interest from one of our national daily papers today: a woman theatre producer was jailed for seven years; for passing herself off as the 'twin daughters' of Eliot, who died childless in 1965 aged 76. She was rumbled after theatre staff never saw “Claire” and “Chess” in the same room. The charges were for VAT fraud of £120,000. and also for perverting justice. Perhaps she'll find some time to reflect on his works.

[rosschandler]

Just my reaction after reading The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock

 

Advice to old Prufrock

 

You prowl the streets at night

haunting skid row dives.

The catlike yellow fog clouds your mind

and lulls your soul to sleep.

 

The women may speak

of another hero,

it is no matter,

jealousy diminishes.

You have known them,

yet still they distract.

You not they

decide your course.

 

The clock ticks steadily

but it hasn't stopped.

Fear and doubt freeze the spirit

just as hope opens the door

and allows artistry to flow freely.

 

Step away from the dusk

and walk into the dawn.

The mermaids sing for you

if you just open your heart.

 

Dare

to take pen in hand

and you may find

some will listen.

------ Judi Van Gorder

 

i loved it. nice structure. i noticed several spots where a comma should be added.

catlike, yellow fog

you, not they , decide their course

[tonyv]

Thanks for reading Tony. This is one of the first poems I studied "in depth". In reading the so many commentaries that have been written about it, I am not sure I ever really "got it". My poem was my attempt at making sense of it all. Funny, Eliot's poem as you say is a classic. I didn't even like it the first dozen or so times I read it. I have since changed my mind, not because it makes total sense to me nor because I relate to it, but because it has had such an impact on millions of readers. My response to it as you have seen is a kind of frustration, I read it and want to say to the poet, "get over yourself and use your gifts to get on with your life".

 

~~Tink

I understand, Tink. I never really loved it, but parts of it are to my liking and made some kind of lasting impact. In any case, it's great that you chose to write a poem of your own as a way to access it.

 

Tony