The Hostile Witness
Why won’t you answer my question?
There is more than one answer.
Why won’t you answer my question?
There are more colors of blue than can be counted.
Why won’t you answer my question?
Names conceal as much as they reveal.
Why won’t you answer my question?
The starlings are mating and building nests.
Why won’t you answer my question?
I can’t hold enough words in the palm of my hand.
Why won’t you answer my question?
Swimming floats with the intensity of bees.
Why won’t you answer my question?
There is not enough time to watch every sunset.
Why won’t you answer my question?
My measuring spoons were lost in the move.
Why won’t you answer my question?
The answer trickles from an O below my third eye.
Why won’t you answer my question?
There is more than one answer.
* * *
I’ve been flummoxed by this apparently simple prompt of Jill’s over at Big Tent Poetry. So I simply went with my writer’s block and created something of a poem with it.
I am absolutely sure there are many, many unique responses to the “conversation” here. I’ll be around to read them on Sunday.
Related posts:
A big wow! If that’s writer’s block, please may I have some?
Kind of you, ViV!
My measuring spoons were lost in the move. Now that is really a hilarious line. I wish it was mine.
You can borrow it anytime you’d like, Rall. Make it your own.
Yes, you’ve produced some intriguing responses to the single question that gives much food for thought!
Thanks, Derrick!
Brava!
Wow — thanks for the Smorgasblog link Dave.
[...] Stoney Moss Why won’t you answer my question? The starlings are mating and building nests. Why won’t you answer my question? I can’t hold enough words in the palm of my hand. Why won’t you answer my question? Swimming floats with the intensity of bees. This entry was posted Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 at 4:31 pm, last modified at 4:31 pm, 7/3/10 and is filed under Smorgasblog. Print [...]
There definitely is more than one answer…and more than one question.
If that is what being ‘flummoxed” produces, bring it on!
http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/
Thanks, Mary!
This almost plays out like an impatient child trying to wheedle answers from a serene grown up and not listening to the grown up really saying, “I am not sure” in many different ways.
I often find that I am unable to hold enough words in my hand. It is rather frustrating when that happens…
I think that that is what being a poet is about, Mark. Trying to find a bigger hand, or one with nimbler fingers. :-)
I love this! All beautiful “answers,” some of which I’ve thought and didn’t know I’ve thought — which is what good writing does sometimes, doesn’t it? Reminds us of what we’ve thought, in better words.
Oh, thank you, Megan. I’m humbled you thought those thoughts, too.
I sure did feel a nearly palpable frustration in this…reminded me of conversations I have had before, usually with my teenagers!
Puts new meaning to the word “trial.”
Think I’m gonna memorize this one, for those days when I can’t remember my name. It’s great! And I also love the measuring spoons line, actually find all of them wonderful in their own right.
Elizabeth
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Not to mention, that anything I say can be used against me :-)
xo
Yes, yes they would, though not by me. xoo
A wonderful poem! Sometimes, poking at that writer’s block, and using it to your advantage is a great way of getting rid of it. Great post!
-Weasel
Thanks, Weasel, I’ll have to remember to try that tack in the future. If I can remember!
This poem is truly exquisite. its repetition is flawless.
I particularly like this these line
Why won’t you answer my question?
The answer trickles from an O below my third eye.
Thank you Tesla. That line (slightly altered) was what started this whole thing.
Deb
Ok so this is your writer’s block well I am with Viv hand some of that over!
excellent post!
ps I love the pics of the dogs and cats!
Pamela
Thank you x two, Pamela. :-)
Nice, Deb! I like the way the question insistently, gently, poundingly repeats yet doesn’t get the answer to the question that is not actually in the poem.
I like that you find the question insistent, gentle.
I feel the frustration in this – the answers developed more question than the initial question. Fun read, for sure!
Thank you, T!
I really like the contrast between the simple and insistent questioning and the nuanced and contemplative answers it provokes.
Oh, good. That was important to me.
The poem has an incantative quality. Great work.
The wonders of repetition are many. ;-)
I like this a lot, Deb. Especially how the responses could seen as answers or ways of saying I don’t know either. There’s a deep spiritual quality to this that I really like and identify with, especially regarding the 1st and final responses. Very well done.
I’m glad of that, James.
This piece is great, Deb. The answers are Zen – like responses rising with inherent wisdom. It reads easy, too. I love it!
Thank you, Brenda!
I really love the answers and the changes in direction they take.
Thank you very much, Elizabeth!
the calmly (?) repeated question gets finally to the truth, and I really like your truths:
There are more colors of blue than can be counted.
There is not enough time to watch every sunset.
(and the repeated:)
There is more than one answer.
Thank you, Angie!