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

[Marie]

I never thought of W/C this way before, but I can see it now. It is sometimes very frustrating, and I have looked for other writing sites, but this is still the best one.

[Relic]

I have to agree Marie. I've often been frustrated here but there's no other site as good as this one. Thanks for your review.

[Ariana Omnomnom]

I really enjoyed this poem because I know it's true. The same goes for other sites that are used as an outlet, like deviantart.com. Also for sites like instagram and tumblr when used right. Regrdless of what writerscafe mimics, I found this poem to be 100% accurate.

[Relic]

Great review Ariana. Thanks.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Seems to me you've pretty much covered it all--and quite eloquently.
A fresh, perceptive, intriguing read, Relic!

[Relic]

Thanks very much Frankie.

[Dara]

I am a fairly new member of the WC and very quickly saw what you have written about, above. A poetic refugee from another site, it was such a relief to find another one where I could house my poetry and find people with like minds and experiences to share. Thank you for this.

[Relic]

Welcome to WC Dara. I'm glad you liked it. You may find a rogue here and there, but for the most part, this is one of the best writing sites on the net. I'm happy to see you here.

[Matching Socks]

This is one of those pieces that reminds us no matter who we are in life, we all have one thing in common.
We are human. Not perfect, bruised and flawed, but with a voice and the courage to share a piece of ourselves. Thank you for writing this for us.

[Relic]

Thanks for reading.

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

Sometimes a review is not needed as the work speaks for itself. Stand up take a bow and bask in the applause.

[Relic]

haha, thanks very much Rico.

[Falling Leaf.]

I've been on this site for years. Sometimes I loathe it. Sometimes I adore it. All depends on the people you surround yourself with. I like that you point out that even unskilled people can make themselves feel at home here on Writers Cafe. I admit, I have been off and on, people irritate me and I shut it down, then I reopen up shop months or even a year later. We have a love/hate relationship with this place. Thanks for sharing the write.

[Relic]

We poets are a touchy bunch aren't we? I should get an award for the number of times I've close my account. :) Thanks.

[Falling Leaf.]

No trouble at all.

[wordman]

and they call this stuff poetry,some for the heart,some for the soul,and some for people where even angels fear to go.death and destruction fear and pain but a sweet poem can even stop the rain

[Relic]

Well said Wordman, thanks.

[wordman]

you are welcome

[Kasey Miriam]

Absolutly perfectly true. Thank you for sharing this.

[Relic]

Thanks for reading it.

[Kasey Miriam]

you are very welcome