Why does poetry matter

We were asked; "why does poetry matter?"

Since raising our knuckles and leaving the nook

we have turned with a want to the centuries,

for folding walls around ourselves.

We’ve advanced doors that swing and latch,

and windows to funnel light.

As if the sea had grown legs,

we’ve coursed through out the ages with the tides upon our backs

and fashioned shells for ourselves,

as limpets and the wood louse do.

Yet, with the ape’s dexterity and a birds decorative eye

we sought to bring with us the chalk and charcoal, too.

That where ever we might pause,

there a stencil of ourselves to plaster on the walls -

in remembrance, I suppose,

of magma and of brine;

the dredging of the floor;

or the irritant that birthed the pearl...

Today, upon the silty stairwell,

stacked into a bawling land,

we wonder why of poetry?

We might as well wonder why doors instead;

or what business windows have with light?

Reviews

[phill..m]

Imagine being told you've got to live on the moon alone,
but can choose one thing to take with you, a notebook
and pen, a mobile phone or a telescope.What would
you want the most?, Phill.

[charlie]

If I had my druthers I'd like to take an earth sized air tank. As long as I could breath I'd settle for singing poems down in moonlight.

[phill..m]

For another person to hear, maybe that's why
poetry matters. Regards, Phill.

[Beccy]

"We were asked; "why does poetry matter?"

Here, in these astute and brilliantly crafted lines, you have given us the answer; and more.

Beccy.

[charlie]

Thanks for reading, Beccy.

[Lorry]

Is there any distinction between caveman and poet? We both think enough of things to leave our mark on them, and I am sure caveman/women/other pondered just as much as the poet, which is impressive, considering I have yet to see a menu with poet for the main course :)
Thanks to their thoughts, art was created, then poetry came along. Maybe we have more to thank our descendents for than we imagined.
Really enjoyable and thought provoking piece.

[charlie]

Yeah - perhaps the poet learned to make windows and Gates, but otherwise the anthropological similarity for the want of art remains. Who knows? Maybe it goes further back to when the amoeba had an urge to waltz... I'm curious now as to your 'menu with poet as the main course'. Might that be piece you've written, or working on? It sounds interesting.

[Lorry]

Its just somethng floating around in my head, of a hipster bar that sells coffees and cocktails of inspiration, like poetry jello shots, surreal art pancakes. Maybe it'll grow into something

[sette]

great choice of words and great thoughts too

[charlie]

Hi sette. Thank you.