When I discovered the lyric poem, that advanced not by narrative steps but by blocks and layers of imagery, I said, 'Gee, I probably could do that. So let me try that.'
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
In those days, it didn't take much imagination to come up with something that required great lyric development skills. You just thought of an experience that you might have gone through, and write it down.
You work very hard on the lyrics. Getting them to fit the contours of improvised melodies.
After that, I specifically started writing lyrics. I would like sweat and think and get it all together.
I've always used poetry to explain myself to myself. These things just sat in my psyche and then came out.
It's weird to try to write lyrics for somebody else. They can't really get behind what you're saying or what you want them to say because they didn't experience it.
Poetry taught me a great deal about language and images, but when it came to plotting, I was stumped. It's been very much a learn-by-doing thing for me.
Let me read you some of my poetry. My poetry just takes me to another level.
I've thought of the last line of some poems for years and tried them out, It wouldn't work because the last line was much too beautiful for the poem.
I can find some way to make poetry out of my life's experiences.
I wish I could write lyrical poems, but I just write the way they come.