-- The Language of Poetry --
by John Herlihy
The language of poetry exhibits over us an inevitable hold,
Its haunting sounds and sweeping wind expressive as told.
Arising from depths of soul in presence of delicate ghosts,
To take free residence in the poet’s mind as inviting hosts.
The cave of the heart trembles at sight of this ghostly mist,
As words roam idly through human ears, lips as if kissed.
Ancient myths and superstitions spin webs of generations,
Moody and lyrical rhythms of the mind stir lofty sensations.
Igniting feelings of insecurity as travelling in a foreign country,
That through vivid language and symbols summon immediacy.
Verse by verse, the poem rings as the sound of a tolling bell,
Expressive of the thoughtful wisdom a biblical sage might tell.
To look thru a lonely window, see the peace of falling snow,
To grieve the end of summer as autumn winds begin to blow.
How can mere words gather as aliens, yet seem so familiar,
Honest emotions drawn from blood, sweat, tears, to linger.
In our sea of days, with the turmoil of hardships forgettable,
A poem drawn of ancient depths, enters the mind memorable.
Subtlety heard from a rain barrel the varied voices of the rain,
Phantom shadows from the poet’s soul in words made plain.
- - - - - -
Copyright ©John Herlihy
Sunday 5 May 2024
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Rebecca
You have covered the plethora of possibilities when it comes to what drives those of us who write poetry to write. With you, it appears, almost anything in sight. Greatly appreciated the images you offered. But May 5 is nowhere near "the end of summer," unless it was a late snowstorm like I remember experiencing both on May 2 and May 8. Prolonging winter in my part of the North American continent world at the time.
But perhaps, you were only letting your poetic mind wander into the elder years where we often compare reaching the end of the year and winter in the northern hemisphere with our lives. "The autumn leaves pass by my window, the autumn leaves of red and gold…"
Ron
Slight typo - As words roams idly through human ears,