Poetry / KANSAS

I honestly wonder what some people expect from a poem. Do they want excitement? Thrills? Lyrical language? Rhyming?

What I am looking for is an emotion or feeling expressed with clear, concise, clean language that conveys not only what the writer was feeling at the time, but also allows me a peek into their world, and perhaps even a sharing or a small smile of a favorite memory. This poem does that for me. I like it. I like it a lot. It’s simple, yes, but it’s also nostalgic and joyful – you can’t ask for much more than that.
Thanks!
mary ellen
victorian lace

Ok, is this supposed to be reminiscing of your childhood?  I know that Kansas is often referred directly to The Wizard of Oz, but I don’t really see the point is this short verse.

It might be that you are trying to display you feelings of wanting to escape Kansas and whatever memories they left behind in you, but who knows.  It is hard to decipher this poem for what it really is.

All together this seems to lack a focal point, a concrete topic that anyone can relate to.  You know… death, love, hate, anger, envy, joy, pleasure, what are you trying to get out of this piece:

KANSAS
Walking home
I start humming a tune,
then notice why:
the town hall bells
are marking 9.30
on a Thursday evening
by playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

I really don’t see it.

I have found that the best short poems are ones that are full of vivid imagery. You should check out, if you have not already, William Carlos Williams. Why did you feel the need to write about this moment anyway?

Intriguing but i dont get it. I would change the last line to something more understandable. Leave a comment to tell me what you ment.
Arkansas homeboy
walking down dirt roads
on my way home i take the left at the fork
and have never stopped walking.