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.

[Dye]

I would think they would go off like a cat somewhere to die, like a back alley...behind a dumpster....begging for scraps. Seeing how most writers/artist are penniless--that's what I picture. LOL Was this a rhetorical question?

"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"

In all seriousness, your lines are always fantastic and you express your thoughts so beautifully.

[Frieda P]

Sort of LOL, but good answser Dye haha thanks so much for your enlightening thoughts :-)

[Plume de flamme]

I think we go to the bar--- a lot. lol. Fantastic meta-write and loved the quotes.

[Frieda P]

LOL Plume! ;-)

[Aethereal]

Early humans were all poets as they invented languages by first mimicking the songs of the wind, the birds, the bees, and the rustling of the trees. Poets contributed to harmonious relationships among us as they reduced the discord that would otherwise have existed as a result of an inability of us to communicate. Every poem refines language.

[Frieda P]

Some of us are still trying to mimic those things Athereal, thanks for your insightful review.

[Anand Sehgal]

Poets , amongst all the creators, especially are immortal. Some are a little more verbose, some a little less, but nevertheless all of them are very much alive :) loved it :)

[Frieda P]

Misunderstood & kicking! Thanks Anand :-)

[icelandicblue]

This was wonderful. We write for ourselves and those who chose to read us. We have created poetic connections with like minded souls who sometimes know things about us that our RL friends may not even be aware of. It is a place to celebrate, rant or bleed and as we do it we touch each other in ways we might never be able to do over coffee or a drink at some establishment. If our words must be cast to the winds someday at least we know they were warmed in the hearts and souls of those who once read them, even if for a short time, because nothing is forever and for now seems like enough.

[Frieda P]

What a heartwarming review Anne, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts my friend.

[Pryde Foltz]

Indeed, feels that way sometimes. I lay in bed unable to get to sleep and then words or an image jumps into my head and presto-chango suddenly I can sleep. Thoughtful write, here, my friend.

[Frieda P]

Thanks Pryde, glad you can relate to my musings my friend.

[koty bell]

This was wonder ful really made me think i loved it

[Frieda P]

Jazzed you did koty, thanks so much.

[koty bell]

Wonderful reminded me of dead poets society a bit really awe some freida

[MikeV]

All I can say is, this is going into my favorites :)

[Frieda P]

Thanks again Mike ;-)

[MikeV]

All I can say is, this is going to my favorites :)

[Frieda P]

Muchly appreciated Mike, thanks :-)

[John Stussy]

In our work we find immortality, for even when we're long gone our words can influence the lives of those who come after us. I could ask for no better heaven than that. Excellent poem Frieda.

[Frieda P]

Holy cats, the Stussy, nice to see you on my page, thanks muchly my friend :-)

[John Stussy]

Haha, I'm still here, just not writing nearly as much as I ought to. Thanks for sharing this poem Frieda, it was awesome.

[Frieda P]

Happy to know the wizard is alive & kicking, you still playing that Sax?

[John Stussy]

Yep, but I've been playing more guitar lately, trying to get better at that.

[Frieda P]

I thought of you when I wrote Pearls, Sax & Lace, don't get a big head now ;-)