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

[barleygirl]

You just reviewed one of my poems, starting with the observation that it's nice to find a woman writing about something other than love (or something to that effect). So then I come here to read this with a built-in bias, anticipating your bias, & I sort of found it. The tone of your message seems to be straddling the line of being judgmental & yet expressing acceptance. I share many of your feelings, even the critical ones, all well-stated here. The take-away is that this isn't really a place for serious writers, but rather, another social outlet mostly . . . *smile*

[Relic]

Straddling the line....Hmm, yeah, it's possible I did do that. I've changed a little over the last three years since I wrote this so my view of this place is more laid back now. I realize it's a free writing site so I'm not so uptight as I used to be. Those trolls though, uhg.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[Bacchus]

For a newbie this is hopeful.

[Relic]

I'm glad. Good luck and thanks for reading.

[andrew mitchell]

makes very interesting reading and of other peoples thoughts and hopefully we all get on well together for sharing is caring

[Relic]

I couldn't agree more andrew thanks.

[AaronFreitas]

This is an awesome piece... I absolutely agree... it's a forum to vent or share your imagination. Awesome piece with the truth in the words :)

[Relic]

Thank you Aaron.

[Julia Mars]

We're like our own little ecosystem where things grow, thrive and we feed off each other in symbiotic fashion. Like any environment though, we have predators and prey. Those who would exploit and feast upon weakness. Such wonderful human observations here darlin'

[Relic]

Thanks very much Julia. ;)

[Julia Mars]

Of course, anytime.

[~]

This is a great observation. A mini-world within this cafe that has so much to offer.
well done my friend :D

[Relic]

Thank you so much Pluto. lol

[~]

hey at least that is a planet :P

[Julia Mars]

Dwarf planet. I think he's calling you short... ;)

[Relic]

Oh, I've called her a lot of names. haha Just ask her. Nice picture btw. :)

[Julia Mars]

Thank you! :D

[RomaJ]

very intriguing piece, Relic. WC is like a light house, A beacon for many and all, who've
wandered in.
Well done. I am impressed by your thorough and thoughtful observation and well crafted
format. Smooth perfection.

You are a master at your craft.

[Relic]

Funny I don't see myself that way. haha Thank you Roma.

[Delmar Cooper]

This is a very interesting post, interesting and not a little frightening. The way the use of WC is posited it is a form of abreaction therapy, a place where the self taught Dianetics technician can do his own engram search. The last half of the post brings to mind the catechistical dogma of the main character in "V for Vendetta."

I suppose it is all correct as written and yet a question looms in my mind about where the writer of pure imagination goes to practice his craft? Is it all reaction to trauma or lust for unfulfilled desire? Is it just place to marinade memory in ink?

I guess my question is ,"what about the rest of us - the ordinary liars who only want to sculpt an entertaining yarn?"

[Relic]

I wouldn't know the answer to your query but is a story teller not a professional liar in some way, Marinading segments of his past into a character he invents?

[Shannon April Alice]

relic, you are the consummate host. your enthusiasm for everyone's work is inspiring and your networking for other writers (just because you believe in the work) is proof of your own ability and talent as a writer *and general all around great human-bean* ;)

[Relic]

haha, When I was young I was as skinny as a bean. Not now. Thanks very much Shannon and its good to see you again. :)

[DoormanDan]

Wow, this is the best explanation of everything this website is meant to be about that I have ever seen. You have written every line so well, and it really drives home the message that this website is basically a place for people to be heard and understood. Phenomenal performance, that's all I can say! :)

[Relic]

Thank you very much.

[DoormanDan]

You are very welcome, it was my pleasure to read it :)