In early August, Molly Hogan wrote a post about titles and suggested that we use a title of a poem to spark a new poem. I took it one step further. I read the poem of the intriguing title and wrote a response poem. From Molly’s post, I clicked on A Poem for Pulse.
After reading the poem, my writing went on a roller coaster ride of response. It just flowed out. Here’s the draft with little revision. I’m not sure if it reads as a poem on its own, without the original poem.
Margaret Simon, draft, response to A Poem for Pulse by Jamison Fitzpatrick
A Poem for Pulse
Digging deep into the dirt
of a poem about guns and death
and people judging people
was a line that caught my breath,
made me gasp
for air because I thought
at first the air
was too thick to breathe through.
I thought I knew the end.
This poem took me for a fool
and made me question myself.
Am I the shooter or the lover?
We
must
love
one another
whether
or not
we die.
The poet’s directive
pointed to love,
away from judgement,
or criticism
which is really only
fear. Not giving in,
an act of resistance.
In the end,
there was kissing.
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, reading these two poems together is a powerful, moving experience. “The poet…pointed to love” In the end, what else is there? “…kissing.” Thank you for sharing “A Poem for Pulse” and your inspired response!
I love this poem and the visceral response you experienced when reading the original (which I’m going to read after commenting.) I keep trying to pick a favorite stanza, and then lean toward a different one. There’s so much here. I think your poem surely stands alone! Thanks for taking on the challenge.
Appreciations dear Margaret for sharing this deep & probing poetry experience & poem-making. I shivered at the ending couplet. This stands alone. But for a lesson, pairing compliments.
More thanks.
Margaret, your poem stands alone as it is. After reading your post, I went and looked up the original. When I came back to read yours, it became larger, more profound in the context of both of them together. I love this line you have included here
We must love one another whether or not we die.
And I love the two lines that follow it in Jameson Fitzpatrick’s original.
Love can’t block a bullet
but neither can it be shot down,
A heartfelt response poem Margaret to Jameson Fitzpatrick’s poem. Both so strong, and moving, and leaving us with what there must be, Love. Thanks.
So visceral and passionate, Margaret. And then that ending…that hopeful, unexpected image!
Wishing that everyone could read your poem, Margaret, then again, I wonder at the response from “everyone”. That ‘act of resistance’ felt just perfect to me, as I think, then admire, of all who keep on loving, and kissing.
What an act of art…rebellious art to just let your pen flow like this in response. It’s beautiful but also harsh and questioning and what so many of us need. A different poem from you. I like it.