I was listening to Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” the other day:
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So so many things I would’ve done
But clouds got in my way
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
Similes and metaphors . . . so very cool! That, my friends, is beautiful writing. You can call them lyrics, or you can call it poetry; whatever you call it, make sure you add the word “brilliant” to your description.
Here’s the thing about similes and metaphors: they have to be relatable and easily understood; if not they are simply clever writing which has very little value to the reader. In truth, I’m not sure what Joni meant when she said “I really don’t know clouds at all,” but I also don’t really care. The line “feather canyons everywhere” is so damned brilliant that it transcends the importance of understanding the final meaning, at least for me. Comparing clouds to angel hair, or ice cream candles . . . man alive, that is just brilliant writing, and only a true Creative would see those things while looking at clouds. You can’t really teach that kind of vision, and I don’t think Creatives really have to force the creative process. It’s just how their minds work . . . how our minds work!
We are members of a very select group. We see things through decoder lenses, and those lenses are not available to everyone.
Enjoy them!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 