We Call It Poetry

An old one on the observation of poets.

With poetry--

A lonely woman 
can write about her lover 
on valentine's day. 
She can describe his most endearing traits 
line upon line upon line--
                               as if...he existed.

A young girl 
can share her deepest erotic thoughts, 
demonstrating an ability 
to take the reader's hand
and guide them with her words,
leaving them satiated--
but only 
if she's skilled enough.

For those depressed 
and those searching 
to release their pain--
It's a bloodletting.

They've been raped,
they've been bullied,
ignored and even wounded. 
The dark side held them too long.

They need you to listen 
or simply just notice they're alive. 
They may wonder if writing 
is all a fruitless endeavor
when their written cries for help
go unnoticed.

But behind poetry's walls...

A man can offer us a character, 
from a fictitious town
that resembles trees, sidewalks, 
roads and even paths 
of his own treasured youth. 

An adolescent can share a broken heart 
with a seemingly invisible world. 
He/she can release all the angst, 
tear by tear, 
until the poem has ended--
         for now. 

Poetry is a haven 
for ideas, rants, memories or thoughts 
that otherwise would go unheard by most.
The family simply wouldn't understand.  

It is a platform 
for those skilled or unskilled; 
for those confident 
and those apprehensive; 
for those that standout 
and those whose computer 
is their only escape. 

Some here,
have painstakingly learned 
poetry has its elements: 
meter, rhyme, metaphor, and more.
As for others, 
form, cadence, line breaks... 
are all unimportant.

The prolific and the obscene;
those with morals 
and those without;
religious; atheists...
they're all involved.

People have left poetry 
for greener pastures, 
only to re-emerge 
days, weeks, or even years later
when the writer needed another ear 
to listen to all he/she wanted to say.

It is a source of frustration, 
joy and confusion, 
all mentioned into one place.

It is your yesteryear, your today, 
and all your tomorrows. 

It's a percentage of your life, 
your time and your thoughts. 
It consists of creation
and destruction.

It's a statement; it's a confession.
It's a voice that understands;
It's a disciplinarian that doesn't.
It's a welcome sign.
It's a keep out sign.
It's a microcosm of continents 
and far off cultures.
It's a ghost from the past.
It's a community.
It's a small town.
It's a lyrical lagoon.

It's you...it's me...it's us
sailing within
our own private harbor.

And we call it

POETRY.

Author's Note

.

Reviews

[Woody]

brilliant depiction of WC and its "patrons". as I was reading along, I caught myself nodding in ascent cos you really hit it on the head, Relic.
I find WC a wonderful place to spend time and learn and, maybe, bring something with you for all to see.
good one, Relic.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for the review Woody

[Firestone Feinberg]

Simply: beautiful. I will miss you. David

[Pete Langley]

I wish I`d said that.....but I`m so glad you did, Relic. I would not have put it anywhere near as well. P.

[Jocelyn_wonders]

What you say is so true. Call me a curmudgeon, but I wish that people would only write. I think that those who have rants or emotional problems should find a psychology site to release their angst.

[Ed Hart]

the folks who push all the buttons at wc would do well to acquire this write from you, and automatically post it to every new account as an introduction

[Relic]

That's so nice of you to say Ed, thanks so much.

[Stacey Watts]

Very true. I think you nailed the head on the head. Very well written here. I think with all art forms there should be a haven to express the way one feels. Nice Work.

[Relic]

I agree. Thanks.

[R. L. Ives]

I must get off of this emotional roller coaster with you today Relic. First I laugh, then I cry. Oh it's going to be one of those days ;)

But I must read this a time or two more. I like these words very muchly.

[Relic]

I appreciate that, thank you.

[R. L. Ives]

You're welcome. I sincerely do like your writing.

[Tate Morgan]

Your thoughts on this matter are quite lucid you may see Jesus without dying

[Relic]

haha, I'll tell him you said hello if I do.

[Tate Morgan]

Tell him I need a lot more time to get it right but I'm working on a few things

[Relic]

I'll share that sentiment for both of us. ha

[Baby Ricochet]

Okay I'll admit this is nicer than "When poetry sucks" but I was just yankin the Wc's chain. The WC is everything you say it is. That's for sure.

[Relic]

Glad you agree and thanks for taking the time to review. :)

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Magnificent write! You have outdone yourself once again! :)

"It is vicious, rewarding, a source of frustration,

of confirmation, of joy, of confusion, and a place of

amusement all wrapped up into one.




It is your yesteryear, your today,

and your tomorrow.

It is a percentage of your life, time and thoughts.

It is creation, destruction, mistakes,

and validation.




It's a window where others can be seen from

behind the curtain."~ This is well expressed!...everything in a nutshell my friend!

I have a love hate relationship with WC...I've tried to break-up several times...even tried to go on a "break"....only to be sucked back in.... (sigh)

LOL I think one day I'll end up married to it...if I weren't already taken. ;)

[Relic]

There are plenty of people including myself who have left and come back again. It's like a sickness you learn to get along with. ha Taking days off now and than helps. Thank you Robbie.