Speak Truth

Speak truth

(A writer's mantra)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Speak truth, be truth,

Do not travel the road with words unsaid.

We write to express view

Write to be a better you.

Inspire those who you have never met.

With love and guidance, refuse regret.

A writer's path is lonely at times.

We fear judgement, criticism, cruelty unkind.

The young fear being judged too immature.

The old fear not being heard at all, and thus obscure.

But who will pick up the pen when words need be said?

The poet, the artist, the wordsmith long dead?

Be truth, be you,

Express to this world your point of view.

We may not always agree on the things that we express.

Find compassion warthm understanding; not anger rage, and regress.

Treat the work of other writers as if it were your own.

Open up your heart and give the words a home.

And in doing so you will be free.

For the road most difficult to travel; is the path we choose to be.

Author's Note

We owe it to ourselves to be truthful in content and character. In our art we reflect our values, aspirations, and hope to our future writers. It is incumbent on us to encourage their talent and the voice they have unique to themselves. Because in them there will come the next Socrates, Poe, Hemingway, Angelou, and a universe of others special storytellers and poets.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Ferlinghetti talked about the poet being like an acrobat performing above the heads of his audience...
I think we perform among them...and we hope that the audience whether they know us or not, will gain some insight and feeling by reading us.
I am quite fond of this piece. It speaks for those of us who are really serious about our poetr.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Jacob, for your kind words. I am moved by the extraordinary poets in this community who toil day after day plying their craft and sharing their art. It takes incredible discipline and a love for writing few have to submit art simply for the joy of art. Expecting nothing in return but to hope the words written find a home in a readers heart. It's like a gardener tending to his garden ceaselessly to produce wonderous colors and fragrances in a multitude of flowers. Then clipping the stem of a prized rose and sharing it freely to admirers. It is to show our love for craftsmanship in words which we hope to inspire thought in the mind of our audience. It is the hope to move them into being extraordinary themselves in whatever talents they may possess. It is in the hope they will be better human beings for it. This poem is simply a reminder of why we write and our aspirations for those who allow us a home in their hearts by accepting our gift. I have said before, Jacob, I marvel at your talent to produce on a daily basis thought provoking incredible poetry. And many here as well in this community do the same. With out having any expectations in return, except those mentioned above. This simple poem is for all of you. And you are all in these words. I am blessed to be a part of this community and I am humbled by it.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"Treat the work of other writers as if it were your own.
Open up your heart and give the words a home.
And in doing so you will be free.
For the road most difficult to travel; is the path we choose to be."

True, inspiring and beautiful poem Carlos. You hail from Salinas, Ca, & I wonder if Steinbeck is also one of your muses as he has been one of mine all my life in addition to those greats you reference in your wonderful Author's Note. Love the much needed positivity and elegance of your skillfully rhymed and written couplets. Bravo for your devotion to, and appreciation of, writing and writers-especially the beginners who struggle. Great and important poem. Welcome to the Cafe!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Annette, for your kind review and taking the time to read my work. I truly am appreciative. Here in this area we grew up on Steinbeck. We natives in Monterey County often refer to the area as Steinbeck country. He has inspired in some way or another many writers in this area. I was moved by his ability to capture the humanity in his characters. I often try to do the same in my storytelling though less artful as he. I would be happy to live the rest of my life being a 5th level Steinbeck then have no voice at all to be heard. This community that I have been a part of for a short period has been nothing but kind, welcoming, and encouraging in their comments and reviews. I am incredibly moved by the many talented artists here. They share a love for words that can't help but inspire. This poem came about after reading a younger and newer budding writer who submitted his first work here. He asked if someone would be kind enough to review his art. So I did and took it upon myself to give him the kind of encouragement this community gave to me. This poem was inspired by that. This love of community. This place we have made a home. Where all are welcome. Each individual member is within the words of this poem. As I try to inspire others I often find Inspiration from them. As I believe writers like Steinbeck did as well within his circle of peers. Thank you again for your kind review, and conversation, and most importantly allowing this poem into your heart to have a home, as you and others in this community have given to me.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Carlos, your response/share is stellar poetry in itself. I love Steinbeck so much that when I was in my 20s I relocated to SoCal for 2 years just to be where he had been. A wonderful experience. Moved back to NYC because I missed family. It's so wonderful that you have already helped new writers here and I'm sure you will be a great asset to this community.:))

[Yellow Butterfly]

Beautifully penned

Thank you for caring…these are words to live by for sure for all creatives alike. Support and encouragement are what is needed especially here at the cafe. I will take away alot from what you have wonderfully written and look forward to reading more of your work.

Kind regards

YB

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, YB, for taking the time to read and post your thoughts. Since the short time I have been here this community has been nothing but incredibly welcoming and kind. I am moved by the art that is produced on a daily basis here, and the many talents both old and new who share freely of themselves. I mentioned to a friend that for me personally poetry is difficult to produce. My skill tends to be much easier applied toward story creation. But I have such a respect and admiration for many of the poets in this community who move me to become more discipline and take chances in doing something I am not always comfortable in. Art should always challenge us to do better, experiment, evolve so that our discipline and voice are strong to inspire the ear and eyes to listen. This piece is a homage to this community and all within it. Each one of you are within the words. Thank you for taking the time to listen and share conversations. I am inspired by your friendships.

[Chris Shaw]

Your words here have both clarity and wisdom Carlos. Words are precious and should be treated with respect. Not only what we place on the page ourselves for others to read, but also our responses to the work of other writers. An excellent message you have penned here.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

thank you, Chris, for the kind review. Being part of this community I feel an obligation to encourage and support as many as I can on their writing journey. In my youth I had very little support and I often think how different a writer I would have been had I had that kind of encouragement in my life. If I can make just one person believe in themselves to continue growing their art then I am happy with that accomplishment. Thank you again for your words of encouragement in my writing and because of that I try my best to pay it forward.

[Chris Shaw]

Encouragement is so important as is kindness. Why shatter someone's hopes when you can inspire them instead. Pleased you have found your home here Carlos.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carlos! :)
I think it’s lovely in message and delivery.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you, Matt, coming from a person I admire who is a remarkable poet that really means a lot to me. I say again I am not as proficient and creatively adept with poetic cadence and word structure of this art form and type of writing. My strengths is in story telling itself. When I attempt poetry I liken it to a football player trying to be a ballet dancer. It becomes a struggle to not sound too much like a nursery rhyme and overly too pithy. But I wrote a review early this morning to a young writer that asked for a nice constructive comment. I wanted to pass along and pay forward the words, and some unsaid to me, when I first attempting writing. Had I heard these words more as a child I would have been more consistent in my writing journey. And I would have taken it more seriously. It's one of my biggest regrets in life, that I didn't try harder. And be more truthful in this art. Like you are with your amazing poetry. You, Jacob, Emmajoy, and many others take the craftsmanship of poetry to a different level then I. It is more then just rhyming words or not, building a strong foundation in message and theme beyond the words. To challenge the readers thinking and biases. I can do this most of the time in story form but rarely in poetry. But once in a while the poetry gods throw me a crumb and I actually write something I'm not too embarrassed of submitting to my peers here in the community. My improvements are because of the artists I am surrounded here by at this site, and my failures are all on me hahaha. But I'm not afraid to try because of this kind and welcoming community. Thank you for your review, friendship, and encouragement.

[mattavelli]

Hey, you're welcome, Carlos! :)
All art is communication. You can make it as complex or simple as you want; someone is going to love it, someone else will hate it, and someone else will be unaffected by it, all based on their moods and receptiveness to your messaging.
Every choice we make in our writing is exposed to the reader. I think that's beautiful.
Ive written a few short stories, a couple of them are rhymes. Haha... I've been putting off a longer rhyming story that I started a few years ago. I need a kick in the butt to get it moving again. Haha

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Consider this your kick in the rear hahaha. Get to it, bro. Don't let unfinished work languish. You're a talented man. Your audience is waiting, and we want to see more of your work. A mind as bright and intellectual as yours should be cranking out art left and right. I mean I enjoy our conversations but I don't want to be the excuse your not getting stuff done. You have a wealth of knowledge and thought to leave behind as legacy, not just to your fans and friends, but for your son as well. There is no wrong you can do in his eyes, he will always be proud of you, Matt. But give him a world of poetry and story, that when you are gone, he is proud to show his children. I know you can finish it, especially if you use just half the time you spent replying to this old man's messages hahaha. He and I believe in you, so get it done and don't ever stop writing. You have an incredible mind, use it.

[mattavelli]

Thanks :p...