Ode to the Reader
The ode to you, reader, exists because you make it so that writers have a purpose in life. Nurses nurse people to health. Doctors find cures for what ails people. Writers create art for intellectual stimulation in various genres for the multiplicity of readers that suits their fancy.
Writers are the product of what is in our souls, of course. Also, feedback comes from the people who read the words we put forth elicit confidence that connections with strangers are made. strangers become even stranger, yet familiar too. Those connections bring people together in an understanding that eclipses the distance of culture and race as all meet together under one banner: the words of a writer.
Ode to the reader who brings the writer's words alive. Ode to the imagination the reader uses our works to guide, and uplift, and sustain.
Ode to the thought-provoking insights readers leave as writers draw them in. Ode to the reader for opening up a soul to receive words whether to disagree or agree, they still have read in the end.
Ode to the inspiration the reader gives to write. Ode, ode, ode that readers keep writers' imagination alive because we have a need to share and a place to share it. What good are words not read? Eventually, a reader will bring life to the dead pages and inspire those who hear it, even if it is just the one.
The Reader
Usher
Odes to Music
Usher is a well-known rhythm and blues singer who has crooned soulfully into the hearts of millions of listeners since his first single. Below is the song, Confession. The song itself is about a man who finds that through his rogue behavior he has fathered a child with his fling. Confessing it in song, the repentant man's music and words reveal the pathos of a wretch seeking absolution from his love. Give it a listen.
![Confessions (Expanded Edition) [Clean]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5148y8+u-SL._SL160_.jpg)
Odes can usually be put to song. Below is the instrumental music of Usher's song Confession. In this instance, the music is to be used to sing another poetic ode to the reader. Listen to the song, found above then sing the ode below to it!
Ode to the reader
Every time you comment on what I say gives me a high. Makes me want to write every day.
Ode to the Reader
Stokes my soul--the articles you're reading through. So I want to give an ode to the reader.
Giving any thanks and praise, I give it to you all.
300 hundred articles to my awe.
It's been nine years. You're still reading my words so I give an ode to the reader.
Had a bad day so I went to one of my articles.
Time to update and that usually helps to get me through my mood.
Below was posted a comment that you left for me, for me to read sparked a light in me and I felt free!
That comment blew my mind, words from you.
Telling me that my words were sublime. Is it true?
When another one came, it was splendid! Vote me up (throwback)! I responded:
Ode to the reader
Every time you comment on what I say gives me a high. Makes me want to write every day.
Ode to the Reader
Stokes my soul--the articles you're reading through. So I want to give an ode to the reader.
Giving any thanks and praise, I give it to you all.
300 hundred articles to my awe.
It's been nine years. You're still reading my words so I give an ode to the reader.
No two persons ever read the same book.
— Edmund Wilson – critic – May 8th, 1895-1972.Voracious Reader
Outro
Thank you, dear reader, for being here to give me a place to be special. When all is said and done, that is what you do for me. Is that wrong? No!
The ode to you, reader, exists because you make it so that writers have a purpose in life. Nurses nurse people to health. Doctors find cures for what ails people. Writers create art for intellectual stimulation in various genres for the multiplicity of readers that suits their fancy.
January 25, 2019, marked the 300th article I submitted on for the benevolent host of the HubPages experience. Others have written more. That number is not significant to the world at large. Special it is to me because it means I still have something to say and readers who will read multiple times to keep ALL 300 of my articles featured! Yeah, thanks to all of us readers and writers. We do that for each other.
© 2019 Rodric Anthony
Related
Comments
AUTHORLinda, I did not think of it like that. I suppose I have a little bit of humility because of the fact that I know I can get nowhere without the support that other writers and readers who keep me sharp. I was going to be overly modest, but I don't want to insult my readers. If my product is poor, then I hope someone would tell me. I know Ann Carr is happy to point out inconsistencies, and I appreciate her for her help in the past, welcoming any help she or others of her mind can provide in the future.
So say I, "Look at me! Look at me! I am so humble about it that I don't know I am humble!"
Jesting aside, thank you so much for your comment, Linda. This has been such an emotional day for me, seeing your comment of support brings joy into my heart. I smiled as I read what you wrote and it made me swell with appreciation. This is the type of effect we have on each other as we read and comment. Thanks for that.
Rodric, I would wager that many people, upon reaching the admirable goal of 300 articles (and all of them featured!) would be bolding proclaiming "Look at me; look at what I did."
And then there is you. You dear friend are such a loving soul. You recognize that he who writes only for his own aggrandizement has prepared something with about as much value as that 2-week old shopping list in the bottom of my purse.
Your writings enrich us, make us think and ponder, and they are full of love. I pray that all of the comments that you receive enrich and bring love to you as well. We are a community.
- AUTHOR
Amen, John. Amen! I mean, unless they want to sit for hours... I will click away from poems that are too cryptic in a second. However, the artistry of describing a scene is not lost on me. I love the art of wordplay so that correlations can be made.
Rodric, I am glad you are getting back to poetry. What you said to Bronwen is exactly how I feel about poetry. I like to convey a message but make it easy for the reader to understand. What is the point of being too cryptic and making people sit for hours trying to understand it?
- AUTHOR
Pamela, thanks for reading. I am glad that you enjoyed the song. Yes, my readers, people like you, make me want to do more. Also, writers with good talent who connect with what I am seeking for at the moment make me want to read more. I am fanboying a few writers lately because of the place I am at in life.
- AUTHOR
Bronwen, thanks for reading and your support. I am coming back to poetry after many years of thinking it was a waste of talent to focus on it. I have lived in denial because of my lack of understanding. I used to think that the more cryptic a poem was the better people liked it. That is was made me hate poetry for a while. I have since learned it is not about telling people a message in poetry that takes a Harvard degree to understand. It is about being plain enough in words for those who seek understanding to find it for what they need at that moment, scriptural. That could be wrong too, but it is where I am now.
- AUTHOR
Patty, you are so kind. This ode is about you and others who venture to read anything any of us writes. Heck, it is even about me!
- AUTHOR
John, thanks for reading. I am glad you enjoyed the poem. My kids became familiar with Usher that day since I listened to that song repeatedly to get inspiration.
You have written a wonderful article. Ode to the reader is such a wonderful way to view your writing. I enjoyed Usher's song as well.
Three hundred articles? Wow, and congratulations, that's a great effort. As you write, poetry is a genre that appeals to our inner beings. Certain lines that we have read or heard recited seem to remain with us for the rest of our lives and become part of us.
A lovely tribute to those who give us writers purpose.
Congrats! to your 300th article. Love has never been sweeter.
A wonderful ode to the reader, Rodric. I feel the same way as what you express here. Loved the song by Usher and reading your poem to the instrumental version as well.
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