What do you think of someone who interjects a few lines of poetry into a conversation?

[meltdown75]

punch him in the throat

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: djheater
I'm a guy who interjects poetry into conversation and it pisses some people off.

My father was a lay-poet and read voraciously, I was surrounded by books and was taught that they are valuable things.

Good for you. My father wasn't a poet and somehow I still came to understand the importance of books.

My father's example was that literary interest and knowledge are prized and valued subjects. It's always been a rude surprise to find that many people see this as elitism or condescension.

It's only elitist when you act like you are better because you know something they don't. I suspect you do this because you are "surprised" at how people react to you. I read quite often and never have this problem because I don't walk around talking about all the books I've read or how much information I know.

Personally, I find that reading helps me to better understand the universal human experience. Poets, particularly, are concerned with relating universal emotional experiences. The vast scope of poetry is likely to be able to provide meaningful input on many experiences, why would you shun it?

Our culture exhibits a tendancy toward anti-intellectualism, as though academia is itself anathema to 'common sense'. I would forward that poets generally know this truth and do not suffer from elitism. Rather, poets are the literary voice of our collective unconscious. We should read them for meaning, we should find perspective in verse.

No one is saying poetry is stupid and should be ignored. We are saying it is moronic to just start quoting poems in the middle of a conversation. I can see certain situations where it would be warranted but they are extremely few and far between.

People probably think you are elitist because you are. Just because you like poetry doesn't mean anyone else has to and it also doesn't mean they need it to gain an understanding of the human experience. I get exactly nothing from poetry. I want to read words that describe someone's thoughts exactly without all the flowery bullshit to go with it.

Our culture exhibits a tendancy toward anti-intellectualism, as though academia is itself anathema to 'common sense'. I would forward that poets generally know this truth and do not suffer from elitism. Rather, poets are the literary voice of our collective unconscious. We should read them for meaning, we should find perspective in verse.

Let me see if I got this. Poets aren't elitist, but they, as self-proclaimed humble people, are the only ones who understand the truth of the situation. In fact, they're so smart that they can speak for everyone's collective unconscious, or did you mean subconscious. I've read plenty of poetry and never really felt like I related to any of it. Get off of your high horse.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
these are about as good a guy as a chick from here can hope for. Hope your myspace angle works out for you both when you finally meet.

Do you still have that crush on Mosh? Really, you have more issues than any self-absorbed, wrist slashing poet.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: pontifex
not all poetry is romantic...

I can't see a guy saying even a non-romantic line of poetry to another guy. Maybe that's just how I was brought up, but that would be an awfully awkward conversation to be a part of.

 

[imported_apocalypse]

Guy to guy poetry is gay, guy to girl, hes hitting on her.


Now what about people who quote Shakespeare in a conversation?

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
...

Way to be an insulting ass.

Relax, get down off your soapbox, maybe read some poems or something.
Why so mad at a literary art? All those millions of people who've valued it for thousands of years seemed to find value in it, it's a shame you can't.

Before radio and TV when reading was the only form of entertainment, poetry was far more popular and there was a shared knowledge of popular works, so it was more common to interject poetry in conversation, like song lyrics or movie lines. It's not common anymore but the intention is the same as either of those. To share a quotation which captures meaning. It's really not a big deal and I don't see why anyone would get worked up over it.

 

[iamwiz82]

Mike Rowe does this a lot on Dirty Jobs.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i love reading but poetry makes me want to proverbially 'stab myself in the eyes'

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
...

Way to be an insulting ass.

Relax, get down off your soapbox, maybe read some poems or something.
Why so mad at a literary art? All those millions of people who've valued it for thousands of years seemed to find value in it, it's a shame you can't.

Before radio and TV when reading was the only form of entertainment, poetry was far more popular and there was a shared knowledge of popular works, so it was more common to interject poetry in conversation, like song lyrics or movie lines. It's not common anymore but the intention is the same as either of those. To share a quotation which captures meaning. It's really not a big deal and I don't see why anyone would get worked up over it.

No, there is no shame in the fact that I don't value it at all. Again, you are elitist and don't even realize it. We don't value the same things which was my point, only you can't accept that and feel that what you value is the only thing with real value. Insulting ass? Maybe, but your subtle arrogance was asking for it.

Also, if you think I'm worked up about poetry you are badly mistaken. We could be talking about which type of cereal is the best and my point still holds. You think your ideas and values are correct and anyone who disagrees with you just hasn't seen the light. I value math and science, but I couldn't possibly care any less about poetry. Maybe you should try to critical think sometimes instead of letting famous poets do it for you.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan
...

Way to be an insulting ass.

Relax, get down off your soapbox, maybe read some poems or something.
Why so mad at a literary art? All those millions of people who've valued it for thousands of years seemed to find value in it, it's a shame you can't.

Before radio and TV when reading was the only form of entertainment, poetry was far more popular and there was a shared knowledge of popular works, so it was more common to interject poetry in conversation, like song lyrics or movie lines. It's not common anymore but the intention is the same as either of those. To share a quotation which captures meaning. It's really not a big deal and I don't see why anyone would get worked up over it.

No, there is no shame in the fact that I don't value it at all. Again, you are elitist and don't even realize it. We don't value the same things which was my point, only you can't accept that and feel that what you value is the only thing with real value. Insulting ass? Maybe, but your subtle arrogance was asking for it.

Judgemental insulting ass. You don't know me, you're posturing, you're unpleasant. Good luck with that.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: apocalypse
Now what about people who quote Shakespeare in a conversation?

We all quote shakespeare every day - half the phrases in modern english were first used in his plays and poems.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: djheater

Judgemental insulting ass. You don't know me, you're posturing, you're unpleasant. Good luck with that.

Thanks. I've actually had pretty good luck with it so far. I don't surround myself with people who try to act like they are better than everyone else and so far it has worked well. In case you didn't catch on, I essentially called you out on your bullshit and now you are mad. You think you are better than me or anyone else who doesn't value poetry while I simply think we enjoy different things. Good luck with your arrogance.

 

[ViviTheMage]

d bag

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: djheater

Judgemental insulting ass. You don't know me, you're posturing, you're unpleasant. Good luck with that.

Thanks. I've actually had pretty good luck with it so far. I don't surround myself with people who try to act like they are better than everyone else and so far it has worked well. In case you didn't catch on, I essentially called you out on your bullshit and now you are mad. You think you are better than me or anyone else who doesn't value poetry while I simply think we enjoy different things. Good luck with your arrogance.

You have a lot of resentments, I don't have any problem with you, but you're really pissed off at people who like things you don't. I think you need to chill out. Read something you like, maybe have a drink.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: djheater

Judgemental insulting ass. You don't know me, you're posturing, you're unpleasant. Good luck with that.

Thanks. I've actually had pretty good luck with it so far. I don't surround myself with people who try to act like they are better than everyone else and so far it has worked well. In case you didn't catch on, I essentially called you out on your bullshit and now you are mad. You think you are better than me or anyone else who doesn't value poetry while I simply think we enjoy different things. Good luck with your arrogance.

You have a lot of resentments, I don't have any problem with you, but you're really pissed off at people who like things you don't. I think you need to chill out. Read something you like, maybe have a drink.

come on guys

why so serious

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Originally posted by: djheater

Judgemental insulting ass. You don't know me, you're posturing, you're unpleasant. Good luck with that.

Thanks. I've actually had pretty good luck with it so far. I don't surround myself with people who try to act like they are better than everyone else and so far it has worked well. In case you didn't catch on, I essentially called you out on your bullshit and now you are mad. You think you are better than me or anyone else who doesn't value poetry while I simply think we enjoy different things. Good luck with your arrogance.

You have a lot of resentments, I don't have any problem with you, but you're really pissed off at people who like things you don't. I think you need to chill out. Read something you like, maybe have a drink.

come on guys

why so serious

If only there were some concise lyrical way of expressing my feelings on this, maybe we could make up.

 

[SagaLore]

My mind is cluttered by thoughts suppressed from action,
a hesitation,
an inclination to become more than I am now,
forget it, this won't work, my confidence dwindles.
And my body forgets.
My mind forgets.
And I am again depressed with thoughts,
that prevent my motion.
To forget is a scam.
The heart does not forget.
Its reminds me.

 

[Chryso]

Is he from Nantucket?

 

[zerocool84]

If some guy started saying a poem in the middle of a conversation, I would laugh, call them gay, and punch them in the face.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
If some guy started saying a poem in the middle of a conversation, I would laugh, call them gay, and punch them in the face.

You are a fucking idiot, if I ever meet you I'll punch *you* in the face, but only after quoting an appropriate line about arrogant fools getting theirs.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Thanks. I've actually had pretty good luck with it so far. I don't surround myself with people who try to act like they are better than everyone else and so far it has worked well. In case you didn't catch on, I essentially called you out on your bullshit and now you are mad. You think you are better than me or anyone else who doesn't value poetry while I simply think we enjoy different things. Good luck with your arrogance.

You have a lot of resentments, I don't have any problem with you, but you're really pissed off at people who like things you don't. I think you need to chill out. Read something you like, maybe have a drink.
[/quote]

that's not true, you post on ATOT.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: MrDudeMan

Thanks. I've actually had pretty good luck with it so far. I don't surround myself with people who try to act like they are better than everyone else and so far it has worked well. In case you didn't catch on, I essentially called you out on your bullshit and now you are mad. You think you are better than me or anyone else who doesn't value poetry while I simply think we enjoy different things. Good luck with your arrogance.

You have a lot of resentments, I don't have any problem with you, but you're really pissed off at people who like things you don't. I think you need to chill out. Read something you like, maybe have a drink.

Since when were poets pyschobabelists?

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: zerocool84
If some guy started saying a poem in the middle of a conversation, I would laugh, call them gay, and punch them in the face.

You are a fucking idiot, if I ever meet you I'll punch *you* in the face, but only after quoting an appropriate line about arrogant fools getting theirs.

Well if you're quoting poetry you're probably a little wuss so yea.....

 

[JujuFish]

Originally posted by: nerp
but if it happens too often it could become borish and tiresome and a bit showoffy.

The word is boorish, and I have a feeling you don't know what it means.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: zerocool84
If some guy started saying a poem in the middle of a conversation, I would laugh, call them gay, and punch them in the face.

You are a fucking idiot, if I ever meet you I'll punch *you* in the face, but only after quoting an appropriate line about arrogant fools getting theirs.

Well if you're quoting poetry you're probably a little wuss so yea.....

Next time you hear this:


They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

or this:


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

I suggest you call the grieving soldiers and their families 'gay' and 'punch them in the face' - see what happens. Stupid boy.