A Happy Poem

Poets, they say, have sad endings.
Guns, ovens, rivers.
Breathing, one moment. Falling silent, another.
Poof. Gone.

Poets, they say, never existed inside their bodies.
They existed in lands unknown, kingdoms that fell long ago, in the streets of the city that never were.
They existed inside the hearts of all they've met, they've touched, they've kissed.
Their bodies are nothing but vessels, that were once used to contain something uncontainable.

Poets, they say, don't belong in a graveyard.
When your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles are fast asleep in their graves, the poets sneak out of the hallowed ground.
And even in death, they seek inspiration;
but those tombs have nothing to offer.
They look around once again, take a moment to express empathy for the dead, and return to their graves, disappointed.
They know they will never be able to write a happy poem, again.

But wait, was there ever anything like a happy poem?

Author's Note

Was there ever?

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

Once upon a time, Zoya.
You have perfectly captured how a poet relates to the world...or at least how this one does. Body and mind not always in sync as though there are two entities dwelling inside...the human and the poet...struggling to get along at times...understanding each other at times.

A good write.

[Zoya]

I'm glad you could relate, Ted. Thank you so much for your support :))

[Relic]

"As" a happy poem, or "like" a happy poem?
I wrote a happy romantic poem once. At least I think it was. :)
Poets can be weird, sensitive, inquisitive, sad, angry, funny, and yeah...happy. But they're always seeking aren't they?

[Zoya]

Romance seldom meets a happy end, but I'm glad you found one :)
I appreciate your words here, thank you :)

[Sawdust]

Beautiful poem.
Specially after reading second paragraph, i fell in love with . I could have proposed you if i knew you.
It simply was an artpiece fragmented out of god's eternal beauty.
‌

[Zoya]

Thank you! Appreciate your kind comments.

[redzone]

Maybe, how about
Rose's are red
Violets are blue
The sun came up
And it shines on you...

That's kinda happy, right??...
Okay, okay, I'm going to go back to my grave now... ;0)

[Zoya]

Haha, appreciate your words here! Thank you for your time :)

[Sami Khalil]

Zoya, this is so good. I like your mature thinking and how you put things in great perspective. I like the little satire of peoples' perception which is so unfortunate but true about poets. Poets are very creative, inspiring and compassionate folk. They are indeed a special type of people. Enjoyed your poem.

[Zoya]

So glad you enjoyed. Thank you very much :)

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome Zoya.

[Sami Khalil]

"Poets, they say, never existed inside their bodies.
They existed in lands unknown, kingdoms that fell long ago"

[Sami Khalil]

"Their bodies are nothing but vessels, that were once used to contain something uncontainable.

Poets, they say, don't belong in a graveyard."

[Onlyme]

Heart, mind and soul, interconnected in this world and the realms of poetic license. Nicely expressed, heard and felt. Beautiful done.

[Zoya]

Thank you very much. Means a lot :)

[JayG]

In writing, one of the things you need to avoid is such constructs as, "they say." Without knowing who "they" are, it's meaningless to the reader. Remember, your intent never makes it to the page. And what does "a sad ending" mean to a given reader? Probably not the meaning you wanted them to take, because they have only what your words suggest based on THEIR background.

• Poets have a sad ending.

First you have to define what a "poet is?" Is it anyone who writes poetry? Is it only those being paid for their work, ow who are famous? My fiew is that you're a poet when others read your work and see you as one. But if what you say is true, I'll start appending, "Don't call me a poet to my work, because as soon as I'm names as one I'm doomed to a "sad ending."

Actually, if you look at the life of poets, in general, you don't find what you say to be true. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, for example, had a successful and happy life. Yes, she dies of a lung related illness, but not because of being a poet. Shakespeare retired as a success, Robert W. Service got rich from his poetry and lived to 85. And the list goes on.

And...I write poetry, as does my son, who's much better at it. And I've not existed inside my body? Seriously?

In other words, you're generalizing, and cherry picking facts to "prove" your point. Not the best idea.

I wish I had better news, but I'm not talking negatively about your prose, wordsmith skills, or talent.

• But wait, was there ever anything as a happy poem?

A silly question. Have you not known the joy of Ogden Nash? Have you not read the glorious nonsense of Roald Dahl's poetry? (I link to one from, The Great Glass Elevator, below) How about, The Cremation of Sam McGee? Check out Shel Silverstein. Do a search for happy poems, or funny poems, or silly, or weird poems. You're missing great joy.
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/attention-please-attention-please/

And how can anyone read Seth Godwin's, Purple Cow without smiling:

I never saw a Purple Cow,
I never hope to see one;
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one.

[Zoya]

a word to the wise is enough :-)

[emipoemi]

You've framed a great premise here - I mean a really great premise that deserves to be played with more. Let alone the factor that you could use some more line breaks and the possible grammatical errors derived possibly from your level of english proficiency (don't quote me on that unless it's actually true), my main and absolute important critique is the fact that the main theme and image you're painting here is undermined with lines that shouldn't exactly be phrased the way they are. You say "poets don't belong in graveyards" and yet you say they "return to their graves". This is why I say this needs to be explored more. You can't paint these "poets" to be ethereal beings but then give them mortal qualities without talking about the in between. Some of the lines and imagery are sensational, but careful with undermining that sensation! That's how you elicit a cathartic experience in readers. Gotta give them more. Don't break the magic. So, yeah, a absolutely fantastic start, but it needs some work before you can call this perfect.

[Zoya]

'Poets don't belong in graveyards' - this line is followed by the reason why poets don't belong in graveyards BUT unfortunately are forced to inhabit one because they obviously can't escape death. All of us are mortal beings regardless of our profession.
Thank you for the read and review, emi. Appreciate it :)