-- The Poet’s Poem –

John Herlihy

The poem bears eternal flame,

The poet’s wick burns down.

The poem suffers not the blame,

The poet only wears the frown.

The poem has a crackling spark,

The poet writes with a scratch.

The poem has an indelible mark,

The poet has only lit the match.

The poem rises on feathery wings

The poet’s anvil whispers a prayer

The poem’s rhythm gently sings

The poet’s words perfume the air

The poem shines a flaming lamp,

The poet’s mind serves as flint.

The poem casts its valued stamp,

The poet’s words give but hint.

The poem found by the poet,

The poet but lost in the poem.

The poet’s poem burns as flare,

The poet’s heart finally laid bare.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Monday 17 October 2022