Miracles - 2. . . . my swagger, frozen . . .

Well done. Another set of thought provoking poems. My favorite of these was In Passing 💗 

4 hours ago, Mrsgnomie said:

Well done. Another set of thought provoking poems. My favorite of these was In Passing 💗 

Thanks once again, Mrsgnomie. The In Passing poem presents quite a scene to the mind if allowed to play out. I have to sincerely thank @Parker Owensfor helping me improve the concluding lines.

I am afraid AC that your argument in the prior chapter comments fell on my deaf ears.  These poems only made me feel stronger that Stramm is talking about different people.  He seems to be in a war with himself between lust for others and love of his wife and family.  "In Passing" seemed to describe voyeurism leaving the lust unsatiated.  To be honest, while thought provoking and emotional for me, these emotions and thoughts are not very positive.  I felt similar to looking at Munch's The Scream of Nature, with the dominate emotion being angst.

As first read, I felt lust and hate both in the first poem. It's tough to know, but I found it rather disturbing for some reason.

"Seething" feels like tables were turned, that it was a game fought and lost... and won. Again, I am confused.

Overall, this grouping feels like love is war for him, and I'm not sure I like the feeling. Maybe it's because I have a headache. It's all I got for the moment. I will read them again most likely. Cheers!

On 4/8/2023 at 11:17 PM, raven1 said:

I am afraid AC that your argument in the prior chapter comments fell on my deaf ears.  These poems only made me feel stronger that Stramm is talking about different people.  He seems to be in a war with himself between lust for others and love of his wife and family.  "In Passing" seemed to describe voyeurism leaving the lust unsatiated.  To be honest, while thought provoking and emotional for me, these emotions and thoughts are not very positive.  I felt similar to looking at Munch's The Scream of Nature, with the dominate emotion being angst.

Ah, so you felt it too.  

On 4/8/2023 at 8:17 PM, raven1 said:

I am afraid AC that your argument in the prior chapter comments fell on my deaf ears.

Sorry to hear that. Saddened, really

On 4/8/2023 at 8:17 PM, raven1 said:

These poems only made me feel stronger that Stramm is talking about different people.

This is the very fact I augured for my response to to your initial comment, last "chapter." I stressed the "I" of Stramm's "THOU" poems is the one that does not change, and the who being addressed is not really the point

On 4/8/2023 at 8:17 PM, raven1 said:

 To be honest, while thought provoking and emotional for me, these emotions and thoughts are not very positive.  I felt similar to looking at Munch's The Scream of Nature, with the dominate emotion being angst.

I agree. I have wondered if there is commentary in the German canon on Stramm's poetry to argue that the "DU" poems contain a certain darkness. A verbal equivalent to the paintings of Sickert, for example.

Although, with the poem you mention specifically, the notion of "a load unloaded" should tell you I understand the poet as having released his own sexual backup (though masturbation) below the beloved's window. Thus, the frosty reference in the concluding lines 

10 hours ago, AC Benus said:

Sorry to hear that. Saddened, really

It is I who am sorry AC.  I offer my apology and have no excuses.  I went back and read your comment only to realize I had not read it carefully and misinterpreted it.

10 hours ago, AC Benus said:

This is the very fact I augured for my response to to your initial comment, last "chapter." I stressed the "I" of Stramm's "THOU" poems is the one that does not change, and the who being addressed is not really the point

I agree to that now I have reread it.

10 hours ago, AC Benus said:

I agree. I have wondered if there is commentary in the German canon on Stramm's poetry to argue that the "DU" poems contain a certain darkness. A verbal equivalent to the paintings of Sickert, for example.

Although, with the poem you mention specifically, the notion of "a load unloaded" should tell you I understand the poet as having released his own sexual backup (though masturbation) below the beloved's window. Thus, the frosty reference in the concluding lines 

That I did understand and why I felt Stramm was at war between his love and his lust.  He was a very complex man.  Thanks for sticking to your story and helping me advance my education! lol

The poems from back memories from my youth and the different reactions I felt for those I date, some rather briefly and others longer.  Since I didn't have one particular partner that I was dedicated to until I was older, it was easy to feel the broad range of emotions.  

9 hours ago, Bill W said:

The poems from back memories from my youth and the different reactions I felt for those I date, some rather briefly and others longer.  Since I didn't have one particular partner that I was dedicated to until I was older, it was easy to feel the broad range of emotions.  

Good comments, BIll. Stramm was in his early thirties when this collections was written and published in 1910. If one takes the view that the poet is interested in writing about universal love experiences through the point of view of his personal thoughts, then that includes youthful obsessions, emotions, expressions. To me, I feel them too; feel they are all here on purpose. 

Thanks again    

On 4/9/2023 at 8:00 AM, Valkyrie said:

I feel the emotion in these clearly.  I particularly liked Seething and Restraint, but I think my favorite line is from the first poem:

Thanks again for sharing these thought-provoking poems!

Thanks for reading and leaving your support, Valkyrie. The German title for the poem I've called Seething is challenging. Another good choice might be to think of the poem as "Steaming," but I think "Boiling" is out as too strong a sentiment compared with that Stramm actually intended. Oh, so many headaches to wade through . . .