What is a “true life poet”?
You would think that this would be a simple question, right? For some reason, every time I hear this question, I pause. It seems like it would be easy to describe, yet it seems like I’m not descriptive enough. I can’t tell you the first time I used it. I just know that when I thought about it, it felt like me.
True – Basically, this is simply “what is.” I have many conversations with people and often have to come back to the bare bones of the topic to get any resolutions. This varies from work policies to topics I’m studying. Instead of going off on tangents to get into emotions and extras about what isn’t happening, I like to start with the basics – “Can the answer be both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ at the same time. No? Then we start with that.”
It’s not always necessary to be that cut and dry with people, but sometimes, you have to get people to stand still and look at the fact that there really is one single point on which to focus. This is where “Obelia” comes into play. Times will arise where it is necessary to say something or take a stand and not move from that spot. It’s not a matter of being stubborn to be stubborn but to get people to pay attention to that one thing. There’s no point in moving on to address other issues if the foundational issue(s) is ignored.
I drove past a church and saw “The truth fears no questions” on the marquee, and I thought it was a profound statement. People who are telling you the truth can be questioned repeatedly, at any time by anyone, and will give the same information. We may get tired of repeating ourselves, but we have no problem saying it because it is what it is.
Life – Speak, live, enjoy, appreciate life. I rarely write just to write. I usually have at least one person to address, and it’s about something that still is. It isn’t a dead thing.
My writings have always had somebody’s personal experience in them. Most of the time, it’s mine. Other times, I put myself in someone else’s situation and write as if I am that person. Here, I write to give a voice to the voiceless or to those who believe they are unable to speak because they don’t know how to say it, specific people aren’t hearing them, potential backlash, perceived ignorance, opinions changed, or even damaged relationships.
Poet – I wrap it in a bundle, make it presentable, and deliver it. It may come with flowers, or it may come as a right hook. I may adjust or embellish it to fit a certain rhythm. I may write about something that only existed in someone’s head but was real enough to take shape. The event may have only take fifteen seconds, but art requires it to be recited with all the artistic flare with which it was retold to others. However, it happens, it was an original that had a special delivery.
True Life Poet – Most of the time, you’re seeing a moment in time that affected someone enough to make an impression that could be retold as I felt it.