Ode to Writers Cafe Poets

Homage to you all

To all the poets of the Writers Café

I hereby pay homage to your enlightening array

of verses and lyrics which delight and dismay

using words I never knew-much less ever say!

 

You whirl and twirl your prose in stylish assertions

like a merry-go-round, with no discernable exertion!

I find myself lost and complete in my immersion,

I’m a poet at heart! Who knew?  But I’m certain

 

that had I not read such moving prose

my mind would yet see poems as foes,

written in language though sweet as a rose

would remain closed to me. Now, in silent repose

 

I have uncovered an extraordinary world

of battles with soldiers, mighty spears hurled

and scuffles with conscience, depression-words slurred

by battles with alcohol-drugs, bodies curled

 

in tight fetal positions and sometimes much shaking

your longing for love, acceptance, need taking

by someone past known, or one of your making,

the words are heartfelt, not one of you faking

 

your desires.  And sometimes your merry wit

brings spontaneous smiles while I sit

reading and learning, my lamps long lit

far in the night, in my own writing pit

 

created by me for just this endeavor

to learn, to absorb-by all means whatever

I can assemble, no matter the weather

outside, while in here, soul becomes light-like a feather!

 

You’ve welcomed my elementary works,

praising and encouraging-it always perks

my ego, my pride-you literary Young Turks

pulling from me rhymes with insistent jerks

that I try!  That I exercise my ‘till now unknown skill

of making use of language and bend to my will

words whirling and twirling in the same spinning reel

that you, dear poets, labor to instill

 

in me the same love of articulate expression

that comes to you naturally, free of oppression

from form, format and most certainly repression

that hinders one from total possession

 

of powerful wording to say what you mean,

to mean what you say, padded or lean,

stanzas with heart, pictures now seen

of what’s in your mind-so sharp!  So keen!

 

Now I humbly submit, this prose-so tame

compared to you poets, and it might sound lame,

but this time, dear fellows, it’s not the same,

for this modest offering-is in Miz Carol’s name!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

If you find issues, remember you inspired it!

Reviews

[Cole Thomas]

I liked how you made this to the writers on this site! Very good!

[William Liston]

To be honest, this poem shows a lot more skill than at least 75% of what I read here ... I loved it.
You rhyming was natural and spot-on, which is something rare to find in a rhyming piece, much less a rather lengthy one with a difficult rhyme scheme. I love that you kept a lighthearted tone throughout while still maintaining depth an sincerity in your message. I also loved how your enjambment allowed the stanzas to flow seamlessly into one another.
My favorite part was stanzas four through six ("I have uncovered an extraordinary world ... far in the night, in my own writing pit). I love how you painted such vivid emotions there, expressing virtually every motive poets have for writing.
The author's note was the icing on the cake for me ... you were witty from the first word to the last.

One minor critique: I know it's a common practice, but when you capitalize every line, it makes your ideas a bit hard to follow, especially if your lines don't follow a predictable "sing-song" pattern. I suggest only capitalizing the lines that begin new sentences.

- William Liston

[Carol Cashes]

I'm typing on my phone, but will make the changes you suggest at the earliest opportunity. I used Mircrosoft Word and it automatically "caps" first letter of a new line. Thank you so much for your review - I was floored and humbled, and now I'm eager to try this again....

[Jimmy Yetts]

A lovely, well-rhymed tribute to our diverse community.
Thank you, Carol.
Much enjoyed!

[bluessadmood]

This is wonderful ,yes writerscafe was always a special place..it told me lots over years of reading such beauties..times it felt like an old library with treasures you have to dig hard to uncover beauties I never expected..
Lovely write

[jacob erin-cilberto]

love this...and totally agree with the sentiment...i find so much inspiration here at WC...
just reading others' pieces stirs my fingers to start tapping the keys.
nicely done...
j.

[barleygirl]

BRAVA! Love this ode & I totally agree! I've been on this website 18mos & I've grown & learned so much! Your use of details is great as I think of all the kinds of messages shared here . . . and as a rhyme-aholic I thoroughly endorse your extended rhymes in each stanza! Thank you for sharing! (((HUGS)))

[Carol Cashes]

Thanks for the "nod" to the rhyming. After laboring in the beginning, I was amazed at myself at how the rest seemed to write itself. It was truly a labor of love.

[Jon Roggie]

We get to write.
Learn a few names
I remind you of him?
That is insane!

Honestly,
my only complaint,
sulking,
you still got more reads than me.

[Carol Cashes]

I'll try to read some of your work, soon. I rarely see your name in the Feed, but I' don't check it very often, these days, too much going on here in Biloxi, MS. Thank you for reading this, I'm learning, still, and there are some real masters here to learn from.

[Jon Roggie]

There are so many writers here, and it is impossible to keep up with everyone. Just have fun with it when you have the chance.

[Anthony (aka Mr.e)]

This was such a pleasure, happy I came across it.

[Carol Cashes]

So happy you found it, and many thanks for reading.

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing and worthwhile poem. I believe we need to read to write. Writer's Cafe have been giving me reasons to write for many years. Thank you Carol for sharing your words and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Carol Cashes]

Reading is how you learn to write. I've been an avid reader since I was 10. Still much to learn, though. Thank you so much for reading.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. I learn daily something new and you are welcome Carol.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Wow! Milestone work Carol! Eloquent, humble, heart-felt wise words with lovely flow and rhyme. I am in agreement with you on every word. I have not written in years but am so inspired on this site by excellent writers such as yourself.Stellar poem. Kudos to you!

[Carol Cashes]

Milestone work? Now, I've set my own bar too high! I've been out all weekend, resting and taking care of B. Thanks for reading this, Annette. You know, you one of the poets I wrote it for, right?

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Hope you & B. Both doing well. I am honored by your words-thanks!