Freedom, As It's Supposed To Be

Summary

The website content reflects on the concept of freedom through a poetic exploration of human existence, embracing the impossible, and the dualities of life, inspired by the Duplex poetic form invented by Jericho Brown.

Abstract

The article titled "Freedom, As It's Supposed To Be" delves into the essence of freedom, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and the pursuit of the seemingly unattainable. It suggests that the very nature of humanity is to risk and explore our condition through the acts of laughing, crying, living, and dying. The text likens life to a merry-go-round, where the syntax of lost and found love is learned. The author expresses a preference for free verse and syllabic forms in poetry but acknowledges the enjoyment found in experimenting with the Duplex form, a hybrid of sonnet, ghazal, and blues, as popularized by Jericho Brown. The piece concludes with a nod to the author's influences and affiliations, including the Writes of Passage group and the Muse Echo Collective.

Opinions

The author values the importance of being true to oneself as a pathway to freedom.
There is an appreciation for those who dare to believe in and pursue the impossible.
The author admits a general preference for free verse and syllabic poetry forms over traditional ones like sonnets and sestinas.
Despite this preference, the author found joy and success in writing a Duplex, suggesting an openness to exploring new poetic forms.
The author credits Jericho Brown's influence and the Duplex form for sparking their curiosity and creativity.
The piece expresses a connection with the Writes of Passage group and the Muse Echo Collective, indicating a sense of community and shared purpose among these poetic entities.

~After humanity

We must be ourselves if we're to be free. We love those who yearn for the impossible.

We love those who believe the impossible Because it is etched in our existence.

Etched in our breath is the risk we take To audition our human condition.

It's our reason for laughing and crying. It's our reason for living and dying.

Laughing and crying, living and dying-- Life learns the syntax of loves lost and found.

Life savors the semantics of our stride Down here on the ground of the merry-go-round.

Down here on the ground of the merry-go-round Because we're anomalies, we are free.

Thanks Samantha Lazar for rousing my curiosity about the Duplex — which is a hybrid of the sonnet, the ghazal, and the blues — invented by the amazingly talented Jericho Brown. I’d previously read his book, The New Testament, and a few months back acquired his latest work, The Tradition, though I just actually began reading it about a two weeks ago. Though I prefer free verse and syllabic forms like Fibonacci poems, haikus, and tankas, and am not necessarily a huge fan of certain traditional forms such as sonnets and sestinas, I must admit that I had a lot of fun trying my hand at this one and believe it worked itself out well. It’s definitely one I will return to in the future.