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

[Aurora]

I don't have words... this has connected to me at a deeply personal level. Will review this later when I get my bearings right.

[Relic]

I've had so many reviews in the past I don't need them as much. This review is fine. I'm grateful for you words here as they are. Thanks.

[Verse]

Thanks, relic, for taking the time to find this treasure for me! How many times have I thought or half-thought many of these concepts... disciplinarian that doesn’t, creation and destruction, like some fringe philosophy we all quietly subscribe to.

The commenters below have stated praise for your freshness, intelligence and originality in ways far better than anything I can come up with.

The master class for me lies in two places.

If the lonely woman can conceive of him and bring him to the page, then I would argue that he, as the manifestation of her emotions and her creativity, does indeed exist.:)

And the picture is extremely incisive. All that’s missing is the human element, gnarled fingers reaching for the forbidden book.

V

[Relic]

Great review. Thanks so much, Verse. :)

[Verse]

You’re welcome! Can’t stop smiling for some reason! :):)

V

[Relic]

Yes, each time I look at your picture I notice that. :)

[Donna]

Relic, This is the best poem I have read! You got it exactly right, I never really thought about it in that way, but its so true. I write to get my feelings out, good or bad. It is all of us! I love that.

[Relic]

Writing is one of the best ways to get out what you're feeling if you can do it in a creative way. Thanks very much for reading, Donna.

[Wild Rose]

To me it was a means of writing life story to pass on to younger relatives - things which have been passed on by word of mouth and hoping for comments on the way
Turned to expressing thoughts > life story put on one side

I have found friends > Shared our feelings > made them smile
I hope to have lifted them and added to their lives

[Relic]

I'm sure you have, Wild rose. Thanks for reading.

[Neville]

Hey, dear friend, there are a lot of S words that could be pined to this page.... but get this... if you had not updated these magnificent words, I may not have stumbled upon the opportunity to say how much we poets need to f.....g thank you.....Neville

[Relic]

You're too kind, Neville. Thank you very much.

[Neville]

I am far from too kind, I assure ya, but am fond of my integrity.... meant to have sed pinned above, tho pined is maybe now adequate ...... N

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Your poem takes my breath away dear Relic. The picture is remarkable. Every word and line is perfect and true. The things that poetry and WC are to us- yes, all those incredible, confluent and sometimes oppositional things. “It is a platform”- absolutely. And a place/forum to connect with bright, creative, original minds like yours. The last five lines of your poem are brilliant and deeply moving. Thank you so much for your most beautiful and affirming words.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for reading, Annette.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You are most welcome my friend. I’m saving this one because it so touches my heart.:))

[Cherrie]

Here, here, that is so true poetry is a canvas that cries to be created. It empowers the powerless, and can be a bridge to unite. For the most part it is my weapon of choice.
Loved this piece.

[Relic]

Thanks so much, cherrie.

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked your reasons for poetry. Many ways to define poetry. Poetry should make someone remember, think and wander. I need to read to write. Amazing words and thoughts my friend.
Coyote

[Relic]

Thank you very much Coyote. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Nipplegrinder]

Truly, a lovely piece! Rhythm and images. Wonderfully woven.

[Relic]

Thanks very much NG. :)

[Brianna.garcia]

I’m honestly speechless.... you truly captivated me with your writing! You have so much talent and I can’t wait to read more of your works!!

[Relic]

You're very kind Brianna, thank you. :)

[Brianna.garcia]

I’m just being honest! :)

[Relic]

........................ :D