I get a lot of mail from students of poetry and verse. I wrote this poem after a class of 5th grade students from Utah emailed me their question. This was my answer to them
A poem is a song in your heart, a spirit speaking from your soul.
It can be a long lost love come to visit or just a girl being bold.
A poem can be political or deep from depths of despair
Its can also be a cleansing,"so fine"...or the launch of a challenging dare
A poem is the beauty of nature caught in a brief moment of chance
Its the flow of soft material around legs in a slow moondance
Poetry can mean any spirit that opens the heart up to speak
It can also be the voice of shadows from inside the soul of the weak
Poetry is history for writers or daily routine come to call
It can also be apprehension from those who's steps are too small
Poetry to me, is a canvas...of colors of written strokes
Sometimes it can be wrenching just when my thoughts are provoked
My rhythm for words is moaning at times, a beat that comes from the blues
Its up and happy for others in love and walking in spiritual shoes.
This is what I can do best...as an artist it comes with ease
For now I'm answering a question and it flows like a warm summer's breeze.
I think each poet would give a different aspect of what poetry is,and spend many words to define it.You have done a beautiful job so I will agree with your assessment,sinceyou have imparted the essence of what poetry is, Susan. Well done!
Susan - You have defined what poetry is, with well chosen words. I accept them, and congratulate you. Like the individuals writing it, poetry differs from person to person, subject to subject, mood to mood. But, it must have the one thing that separates it from most prose; magery, and without it, one reads only a puddle of words.
- Bill
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on May 31, 2006
Love your description of what poetry is :-) The description of it being art, also touched me as I am also an artist :-) Great answer.
Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)
Reviewed on May 31, 2006
Kinda disagree with George, but what the hell, whatever works. I would say that poems are what the heart sings. Good answers.
Susan
Poetry is all of these diverse things and much more..
It is the true essence of the soul walking, talking, feeling and writing the verse and magic of infinity...
You define the mechanics of poetry is an artistic and fluid manner, which it is...
You have taught them apt students of Utah dilligently !
Love and Harmony
Peter
Early Works is an exhaustive compilation of the first decade of the poems and stories of Z.B.McClure. Included are family photos, rare personal photos, photos of 1st draft manuscripts of many of his early poems. Also some biography and memoir materia
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Paul;-)
- Bill
Poetry is all of these diverse things and much more..
It is the true essence of the soul walking, talking, feeling and writing the verse and magic of infinity...
You define the mechanics of poetry is an artistic and fluid manner, which it is...
You have taught them apt students of Utah dilligently !
Love and Harmony
Peter
Fee