Comparing Different Art to Inspiration (Songs and Poetry)

We are all aware of the many different pathways to being artistic. Some of these types of art are poetry of verse, story-telling through a three-minute song, or writing a book with twenty chapters. Art can also be photography; a kind of art of the eye, a capture of something close to the lens for an instant that may not have been noticed if not snapped just in time at the right moment. Paintings, no doubt, become pictures of visual illusion that the artist dreams up and brings to life on canvas. When a singer writes notes for a song, it is his own interpretation of a story that plays out well with his emotions as he wrote them. All these different styles of expression can give me an idea for my poetry at times.

When I listen to a song, sometimes in my mind, I can see the adaptation of the words as a painter may see before painting a landscape or portrait. I think music could guide a photographer to catch the feeling the song gives him/her when they go out and snap a picture. However, in this case, a song or group of songs has guided me to a fantasy land of expression that has willed me to write words down in a most beautiful but unlike way.

It's true we are all different in the way we find our inspiration. Everyone may not agree that music could inspire their specific artistry, but it is an interesting thought to think that all in the business of entertaining and creating could feed off each other to bring forth a vision for their own creativity, isn’t it? So, let us venture down a serene and pretty path of words and music, shall we?

Recently, while listening to three great songs that have the most beautiful lyrics and music accompanying them, I began to be inspired to write this poem I will post here. Music, as I mention above, has come to be a delightful and unexpected part of my poetry process at times. I could come across a song that moves me, and then I will listen to that song over and again and just find my inspiration to start building my verses of emotion. The funny thing is, it may have no connection to that song at all. It could just be something I needed to hear so I could find my own push to paper, in my case writing a deep versed poem.

First, the music and songs that inspired me to write a poem today came from not one song or artist, but three very distinctive talents that I have been a fan of for several years now. David Gray, Damien Rice, and Patrick Watson are the artists I will showcase here. The songs I will post of theirs could be paintings on a canvas, a photo in time, and poetry through song and music. So, I thought I would use them as an inspiration to put my personal poetry to paper today.

David Gray’s song, “Freedom,” is a lovely song, and without truly validating David’s inspiration for this song, I have, instead, read several different opinions on it. One thing that will bring no debate from other listeners, is that the song emulates a strong grief. It kind of takes you to a soldier’s departure to war, but you are not sure if he is just using those references for comparison to the grief or the song is depicting several grief scenarios. As the song goes on, it makes me feel that it’s a song about trying to find freedom with a lot of life’s issues we may come across in this world. In addition, I read from a fan, that they believe that this was written in 2001, when he was about to become a new father, and he was losing his own father at the same time, so it was an emotional song for him to write. As it was written in 2001, it is also said to be a song about our tragedy 9/11. For me, it’s about all the above, but mainly how we handle grief. Take a listen. Close your eyes, and let David’s words and music carry you to a different place, to your own vision for his song.

The song I am posting for Damien Rice is two songs sung right after the other at a concert Damien performed in 2014 in Amsterdam: “The Blower’s Daughter and Elephant.” The lyrics to this song, for me, are a little hard to grasp, but Damien’s tone and how he emotes his words tell me it’s mostly about loneliness and finding ways to handle that. The song, to me, portrays infidelity and regret in order to soothe a lonesome ache. I think we all have related to loneliness at some point in our lives, and so, the songs he sings were easily compared to some lonely times in my own life. Take a listen and see how you feel.

The last song that inspired my poem today is a collaboration with Patrick Watson on vocals and piano, backed up by the Cinematic Orchestra: “To Build A Home.” It is a beautiful song about building a life and the inevitability of death. This song always takes me far away. It’s a subject that haunts me at times. I think a lot about life and how I will leave a legacy for my children, so this song is one of my favorites. I hope you like it as much as I do.

The songs that inspired this latest poem of mine are beautiful, but going back to how I started this article, stating how all creative art may inspire; I would be remise not to mention a young photographer who I discovered on Facebook a few years ago. I don’t see that he posts a lot on his page, but when he does it catches my eye, and takes me off to a nice place. His name is Alex Stoddard, and the photo of his, which was an inspiration for my poem; I cannot post here for fear of copyright infringement rights. However, I will post a link to it for viewing, and after you read my poem, I think you will be able to tell how all these songs, and this one photo inspired it.

I love creating! I have always been an outcast, a misunderstood personality. So, when I find great artists, no matter what genre of art, they create, if it’s meaningful with a unique story to tell, I know I am not alone in my world.

I am in a pitch-black pool.

Sparkles dance around me.

As the water swirls, silver

circles of waves surround me.

My feet I can pull up, yet they

don’t touch or carry me down.

I am a light in a peaceful void.

Grace is heard; musical vibes

abounds.

I cannot see anything ahead

and nothing directly behind.

The black water covers me the

dazzling glow above sublime.

I would wish to stay in this state;

a very melancholy dreamscape…

but the tinge of halfway is starting

to pull me away.

Go please. I want to stay. I glitter

like I never did in a day.

I can touch the moon, and blow

Stardust from my palm.

I’m finally a mystical phenomenon.

I shall miss my presence here if I

leave…

I feel whole, not at all treated as an

alien. My soul now is shining, so leave

me be.

Let me lay in my black pool of warmth

where I can finally believe I’m free.

Can you really beseech me this

peaceful space?

I have nothing more to give to the

other place.

Even so, it seems you win. I have

found myself back in this heathens’

den.