Where Do Poets Go

~For all the tortured poets on the WC and beyond...

“Heaven deliver us, what's a poet? Something that can't go to bed without making a song about it.” 
― Dorothy L. Sayers

Where do old poets go to die

are we ever laid to rest

could our words live on

into the cosmos for posterity

Old dusty book shelves our castles,

our pen the sword that exults us

Prose and rhyme that differentiate us from the masses

we the thousands that have won no accolades

only our peers to love our treasured words,

have signed no contract other than

the blood we've shed through our written word

will each tear, joy, delirium, every ounce of sweat

that has stained our poetry

metaphorically be our fortress in the sky

will we live on in the eyes of  those who dare to follow

to tread in our pages as we have those who came before us

“I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.” 
― Socrates

Author's Note

captcha~aimless

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I think the saddest thing I feel at times are my unread words. Especially here amongst my peers. I just sent an RR out on a poem that has been here since May. Its not a great thing but it has a place in my heart. And its never been reviewed.
Its part of the reason I review as much as I do. Because we poets - we are our words.

[Frieda P]

Tammy you break my heart, I don't think I have that in my RR's, of course they've run amuck...you're brilliant, so sorry you feel that way!

[TL Boehm]

RRs multiply when you aren't looking. Like watered mogwai.

[Frieda P]

Oh I know, I can't keep up....send it to me in a PM, I looked and couldn't find it on your page.

[Siren]

Love love love. I've often wondered at how words remain. From beyond even biblical days, we have fragments and records of history and stories, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh. I firmly believe that no word is ever wasted. It might mean far more than we know, one day--not in fame or prestige, but in the small trickling stream of "i once read..."

[Frieda P]

Love this Siren...'in the small trickling stream of I once read'...that's poetry right there my friend!

[Siren]

pffft--see what your writing brings out? the poetry in all of us!

[Frieda P]

Wow, what a compliment, you're giving me a big head hon, I might not make it through the cafe door.... ;-) Thanks again!

[Siren]

you're welcome (: it's a pleasure to give credit where it's due

[Sheila Kline]

Wonderful - whether we write through our own blood, sweat, and toil, or as Socrates believed as speakers of knowledge, the seers, the prophets without having to think about it - the words being inspired by a higher power, we do so with the hope that others shall be fed, encouraged, or befriended with the messages we bring. I often write, and then sit back and say, "Wow, did I just write that?" - then I believe it is a message I am supposed to deliver to another. Many times, I write for me........to help me deal with something, to gain understanding, to share a message of sorrow, or good news.

You have summed up the heart and soul of a poet - my goodness, I cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like if we had not the poet!!! - especially not a Frieda!

Excellent!!

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much Sheila, I'm tickled by your review, your thoughts here are much appreciated my dear friend!

[annie lee]

We go to the page every day, and in the end, although I am sure of nothing, I hope we go someplace wonderful -- maybe with experimental do-overs thrown in for amusement. I would be content to go to the page also. Eloquently expressed, Frieda.

[Frieda P]

Thanks annie lee, I think we'd all be content to go to the page, maybe there's a special place for poets. :-)

[Lydia Shutter]

Two very appropriate quotes and a superb tribute to all poets. It is true, often only other poets read our words, but other poets do count, Frieda. We drink in the words on the screen and they mean something to us. We embrace them...and each other. Sure, we all hope our words will be around after we are gone, but I suppose we will never know for sure if that becomes the case. We are different from the masses...and I think that is a good thing. Wonderful work here. Lydi**

[Frieda P]

I so agree, it is a good thing, and I can't for the life of me understand why people think we're such a quirky lot , lol, thanks Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

LOL well, we ARE a bit different, but let them think what they want. We know we are DA BOMB! :)

[Frieda P]

Haha exactly! I've got news for them, I don't understand how they go through life without writing poetry ;-)

[Lydia Shutter]

Precisely! :)

[lee von cleef]

I watched a interview, some Spaniard, speaking of a back hand , a Serbian "Novak", the respect "Rafa" gave was art, tangible love, of a game , a man , and we that listened got to see the art we had watched , played again through his eyes, "The King of the Clay" his words bowing ,eyes on respect, to Novak Djokovic a Serbian.

[Frieda P]

Oi you volleyed that one right to me lee...thanks muchly my friend.

[Ohhhwillow]

Frieda! You know it's funny, when people ask me what I would like to do 'when I grow up', I find myself starting off by explaining that if poets didn't merely make enough money to live off of when they were already dead, I would write all day every day in a little bubble, being a sanctimonious pretentious dastardly b*****d for life. However what you have voiced here is soothing, and lets me gather those thoughts with ease. Poets make their own fortune, and while they go unrecognised despite great talent, it is not the gold that they accumulate for themselves and their children, but the priceless musings of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing this Frieda, you inspire me as always.

P.s I love the technique you have used, placing in the techniques of a poet, while using them yourself. Always so crafty! ;)

[Frieda P]

I love your review Willow, so insightful and introspective. Jazzed you enjoyed ;-)

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree with the logic of the quotes of the master writers. I believe we keep the old writers alive by reading their words. I believe we must learn from the great writers and tried to express the truth without fear or doubt. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Frieda P]

Excellent advice John, I so agree, thanks my friend.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

We are forever put into the collection of others that have gone before us...and the number just grows exponentially...

[Frieda P]

And so it does, thanks Glen...over your jet lag yet?

[Glen Yumang Manese]

No...I slept the entire day way...trying to readjust to the time zone...in a few days...

[Leslie Philibert]

nice job...old poets like me have to go to work and do the shopping, we live in the real world..and that is right so !

[Frieda P]

Thanks for sharing Leslie, much appreciated.

[OTownPete]

If this were an Irish wake you'd be serving some great Irish whiskey. Belly up boys and toast the lyrical ones. Your frien din words, Pete

[Frieda P]

Ha Pete, I've heard of those Irish wakes....thanks my friend.