10 Poems About Poetry

Being a “Poet” Can Be Painful! I’ve likely told you, more than once, that poetry can be painful, and whined about the need for penning verse That stems from deep inside my soul...fashions every word...and has become, I will admit, a curse… And I am here to tell you, friend - it comes with being “a rhymer” - and trying to fight it only make it worse! Philosophy 101 Most of what you’ll find within my many works of verse Will make you laugh, or make you cry, but from the first to last, All may help you understand what life is all about, For some are crystal balls, and some are windows to the past. My Words of Rhyme In films we find a “favorite scene,” in plays…a “favorite line,” And poetry can be like that (especially verse like mine). My work is often wrought from “favorite times,” or “favorite friends.” Regardless of the way it starts, or how the poem ends, I try to tell a tale to you. I try to help you see That things we take for granted now, will not forever “be.” I share the best and worst of life. I speak the way I feel. With me, you’ll either laugh…or cry. The words are true…and real. Some will help you understand what lingers deep inside, And some will help you face the fears from which you’d rather hide. Some will stoke the embers of your life, to stir the fire, Rekindling lovely mem’ries…as your world begins to tire. My poetry will help you find the friends you’re missing so, And clear the view to see the few you loved from long ago. To touch the ones you’ve lost by showing how they linger near, ? How looking deep inside yourself you’ll learn that they’re still here. Remember, true love never dies, it knows no end of time, And hopefully you’ll find a link within my words of rhyme. In Poets’ Voice As actors must, upon the stage, in kind, appease their cues… So poets lust to - on the page - align their “Ps and Qs”. Alike, they yearn to gratify, though one with voice…one pen… And, once they learn to satisfy… with words from deep within… ? You’ll find they each… and this by choice… revert to gothic time To write and preach, in verse and voice, in finely metered rhyme. And I, as they, must follow suit… I find no honest choice… What I would say… ‘til I be mute… shall be in poets’ voice. On Poetry Poetry is rather like a vehicle of sorts, That offers rides…both back and forth…through time. It carries readers into realms before and far beyond, And does this with a map comprised of rhyme. Open up your soul, enjoy the trip, for it can take you To places nothing else can help you find, And if-and-when you do arrive at where the map intends… You’ve actually seen inside the poet’s mind. From a Poet’s Perspective In my youth, each nursery rhyme became a trusted friend. I loved them long ago…and love them still. I can yet recite a couple favorites…start to end; The ones I favored then…and always will. Poets wield their thoughts, at times, in convoluted ways… Despite composed as prose or metered rhyme… And…not unlike a finer wine…the poet’s lilting phrase, Seems even sweeter still with passing time. Affirmation Not concerned with making lots of money…or with fame… I don’t aspire to have a zillion people know my name. My only hope is…if you read my poetry (and you should)… To overhear you tell someone…“Hey…this guy’s pretty good.” Old School When penning my earliest verse, in the 60s, my teacher encouraged my ways, Explaining that poetry written in rhyme had long been “the only that pays.” But, teachers today, regardless the facts - will typically focus on prose - And many who teach are unable to listen to rhyme without holding their nose! Because of this failure to see that the genre is struggling and terribly ill, By not understanding what’s making it die…in fairly short order…it will! That's why I'm guessing I'll one day be famous for stubbornly writing in rhyme, Though only in very small circles, of course…and just for a limited time! Ask a Poet ?Friend…the brightest lantern I can recommend today - ?(Based on endless research…having taken many polls) - ?Strong enough to pierce the dark and clearly light our way - Shines within the wisdom found in - only poets’ souls. Let’s Take a Vote “Rhyme” does not, for some of you, quite qualify as “art.” If that were true, I’d have to say...my poetry never does. Qualify as “art” - that is. So…if there’s someone here Who feels that way, and came for art…with what I’m going to read… Now’s the time for you to slip away - before I start - ‘Cause I prefer you leave before I do…than while I was, As rhyming verse - from me at least - is all you’re going to hear, And that my work is not true art - I never will concede! PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) There are a bunch of my pieces on YouTube as well --- Cheers, Mark