Prosepoem Towards a Definition of Itself
[Under development: 8 June 2005]
Brian Patten's iconoclastic 1960s prose-poem below challenges us to think about the value and purpose of authentic behaviour. Although he is ostensibly writing about poetry, I wonder to what extent both existential/spiritual endeavour and counselling are appropriate substitutes. Can you justify any reservations you may have?
Prosepoem Towards a Definition of Itself
When in public poetry should take off its clothes and wave to the nearest person in sight; it should be seen in the company of thieves and lovers rather than that of journalists and publishers. On sighting mathematicians it should unhook the algebra from their minds and replace it with poetry; on sighting poets it should unhook the poetry from their minds and replace it with algebra; it should fall in love with children and woo them with fairy tales; it should wait on the landing for 2 years for its mates to come home then go outside and find them all dead.
When the electricity fails it should wear dark glasses and pretend to be blind. It should guide all those who are safe into the middle of busy roads and leave them there. It should scatter woodworm into the bedrooms of all peg-legged men not being afraid to hurt the innocent or make such differences. It should shout EVIL! EVIL! from the roofs of the world stock exchanges. It should not pretend to be a clerk or a librarian. It should be kind, it is the eventual sameness of contradictions. It should never weep until it is alone and then only after it has covered the mirrors and sealed up the cracks.
Poetry should seek out pale and lyrical couples and wander with them into stables, neglected bedrooms and engineless cars for a final Good Time. It should enter burning factories too late to save anyone. It should pay no attention to its real name.
Poetry should be seen
lying by the side of road accidents, hissing from unlit gasrings.
It should scrawl the nymphomaniac's secret on her teacher's blackboard; offer
her a worm saying: Inside this is a tiny apple. Poetry should play hopscotch in
the
