there are no
superficial thoughts
nor are there
superficial poems
just superficial readers
with money
- rc
A couple of years ago I wandered into a nearby chain bookstore looking for a collection of poems by a particular classic poet. As I scoured the poetry shelves, I noted two things: There were fewer shelves devoted to poetry, and there were a lot of pop poetry books crowding out the classic poetry.
i avoid deep waters
sticking to the shallows
where i feel safer
and can be
more easily
seen
- rc
At my local library, I noticed on the new books shelves several books by these pop poets as well.
another pillow thought
one cold night
i lay there
unable to sleep
troubled by the question
whether Disney princesses
ever wear
flannel nightgowns
- rc
So I did a little research. Not being on popular social media sites like Instagram I was unaware of what has become known as “instapoetry”. I then read some of the poems online, and some of the books.
that which
you consider
trite
i consider poetry
and
a source
of income
- rc
Yes, some of it was clever, had poetic elements, and touched on serious, sometimes difficult topics, but a lot of it just seemed underdeveloped and unsubstantial, just quick observations like the kind of notes one a person would jot in a diary. Calling it good poetry would be like saying a mass-produced romance novel is on par with Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre.
a pillow thought
as i lie here
staring up
i keep thinking
there are
so many cobwebs
- rc
I found most of the instapoems self-indulgent, superficial, and obsessed with relationships, some of which were violent and unhealthy.
sometimes
when i think of you
i put milk and honey
in my tea
sip it
and begin to choke
because
well
i'm allergic
to honey
- rc
The kind of poetry that might appeal to oversensitive adolescent girls. Ones with credit cards.
one life lesson i learned
from years of watching
reality television
is no matter how
disordered
things actually are
what's more important
are appearances
- rc
Perhaps they find in these “poetic” musings familiar emotionalism, self-pity, and unwise decisions.
when i met you
i realized you were someone
who could touch my soul
and open my eyes to all that is true
and that is why i did not
answer your text
- rc
It may reassure them that if published poets echo what some of them scribble in their diaries with colored inks, lack of punctuation (other than exclamation points!!!), and avoidance of capitalization, maybe what they feel is universal, no matter how unhealthy it is.
i do not need the kind of love
that is demanding
i want someone
who pays all my bills
- rc
Being of a satirical/sarcastic nature, I decided to parody the poetry. I created a fake poet - rc - and wrote several poems. I began posting them on social media.
i love
self love
but much
as i love
self love
i love
even more
being loved
for writing
about my
self love
- rc
A few people got it. But I also started getting reactions from people who thought the poems were wonderful and true and touching.
i thought
you loved me
i thought
i loved you
i've learned
to avoid
thinking
- rc
I just had to shake my head.
you can only
truly love someone else
if you believe
you are worthy
of being loved yourself
makeup helps
- rc
One of my problems was that much as I tried to mock the poets’ shallow ruminations, I sometimes let too much reality seep through.
i rely
on crafted
revelations
and
supposed honesty
to conceal
and carefully
avoid
the emptiness
i often feel
inside
- rc
And while some of the poets seem to have embraced the fad to gain money and attention, I also began to sense how wounded some of these instapoets are.
if as they say
beauty is only skin deep
always remember
to use moisturizer
- rc
Feeling uneasy, and, to be honest, getting bored - it is a fad, after all - I stopped writing rc poems.
i just suddenly realized that
whatever the consequences
whatever the implications
just whatever
i have to admit
that i identify
as canadian
- rc
